Unless the provisions of the context otherwise require, these general provisions, rules of construction and definitions shall govern the construction of this code. The provisions of this code and all proceedings under it are to be construed with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.
In addition, the following rules shall apply in the use of this code:
A. 
Title of Office. The use of the title of any officer, employee, office or ordinance shall mean such officer, employee, office or ordinance of the city unless otherwise specified.
B. 
Acts by Deputy or City Manager. Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon, a public officer or employee, the power may be exercised, or the duty may be performed, by a deputy of such officer or employee or by a person otherwise duly authorized pursuant to law or ordinance, unless this code expressly provides otherwise. In the event there shall not have been designated the public officer, department or employee referred to in this code or such position shall be temporarily vacant, then the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by the city manager unless this code expressly provides otherwise.
C. 
Writings. Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means, including, but not limited to, printed, typewritten, handwritten, photographed, photocopied and every other means of recording any form of communication or representation including letters, words, pictures, sounds or symbols, or combinations thereof, regardless of the manner in which the writing has been stored. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required or authorized by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language unless it is expressly provided otherwise.
D. 
Tenses. The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future the present.
E. 
Gender. The masculine includes the feminine and neuter; the feminine includes the masculine and neuter; and the neuter includes the masculine and feminine.
F. 
Number. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.
(Ord. 85-22, 1985; Ord. 97-192, 1997; Ord. 10-289, 2010)
Calendar Year.
January 1 through December 31 of any given year.
City.
The city of Solvang, California.
Council.
The city council of this city.
County.
The county of Santa Barbara.
Fiscal Year.
July 1 of any given year through June 30 of the following year.
Holiday.
Includes all holidays recognized by federal or state regulations, except as such regulations are modified by city ordinance. The term does not include Saturday where such Saturday is not otherwise a recognized holiday.
Month.
A calendar month unless otherwise expressed.
Oath.
Includes affirmation or declaration under penalty of perjury.
Owner.
Applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant, tenant in common, joint tenant, of the whole or a part of such building or land.
Person.
Includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, company or corporation, and any manager, lessee, agent, servant or officer of any of them.
Personal Property.
Includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debt.
Property.
Includes both real and personal property.
Quarterly.
When used to designate a period of time, means the first three calendar months of any given year or any succeeding period of three calendar months.
Real Property.
Includes land, tenements and hereditaments.
Shall/May.
"Shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive.
State.
The state of California.
Street.
Includes all streets, highways, avenues, lanes, alleys, courts, places, squares, curbs or other public ways in this city which have been or may hereafter be dedicated and open to public use, or such other public property so designated in any law of this state.
Tenant or Occupant.
Applied to a building or land, includes any person who occupies the whole or part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
(Ord. 85-22, 1985)
The title, chapter and section headings contained in this code shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any title, chapter or section of this code.
(Ord. 85-22, 1985)