Unless the provisions of the context otherwise specify, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions set forth in this chapter 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.
(Prior code § 1-3.01)
All persons who, at the time this code takes effect, hold office under any of the ordinances repealed by this code, which offices are continued by this code, shall continue to hold them according to their former tenure.
(Prior code § 1-3.03)
Title, chapter, article 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, article or section of this code.
(Prior code § 1-3.04)
"Section" means a section of this code, unless some other source is specifically mentioned. "Subsection" means a subsection of the section in which the term occurs, unless some other section is expressly mentioned.
(Prior code § 1-3.05)
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.
(Prior code § 1-3.07)
Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. 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.
(Prior code § 1-3.08)
Whenever any reference is made to an ordinance, the reference shall apply to such ordinance of the city unless otherwise specifically provided. Whenever any reference is made to any portion of this code, or to any ordinances of the city, the reference shall apply to all amendments and additions now or hereafter made.
(Prior code § 1-3.09)
Whenever a notice is required to be given under this code, unless different provisions are otherwise specifically made in the code, such notice may be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified or by deposit in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified at his last known business or residence address as the same appears in the public records of the city or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed. Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit in the post office.
(Prior code § 1-3.10)
Proof of giving any notice may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the city or by affidavit of any person over the age of 18 years, which affidavit shows service in conformity with this code or other provisions of law applicable to the subject matter concerned.
(Prior code § 1-3.11)
When a limitation or period of time prescribed in any existing ordinance or statute for acquiring a right or barring a remedy, or for any other purpose, has begun to run before this code goes into effect, the time which has already run shall be deemed a part of the time prescribed as such limitation.
(Prior code § 1-3.12)
The following words and phrases, whenever used in the ordinances of the city, shall be construed as defined in this section unless from the context a different meaning is intended or unless a different meaning is specifically defined and more particularly directed to the use of such words or phrases:
"Calendar year"
means from January 1st through December 31st of any given year.
"City"
means the city of Hanford, or the area within the territorial limits of the city, and such territory outside the city over which the city has jurisdiction or control by virtue of any constitutional or statutory provision.
"Council"
means the city council of the city of Hanford. "All its members" or "all councilmembers" means the total number of councilmembers holding office.
"County"
means the county of Kings.
"Fiscal year"
means from July 1st of any given year through June 30th the following year.
"Law"
denotes applicable federal law, the Constitution and statutes of the state of California, the ordinances of the city, and when appropriate, any and all rules and regulations which may be promulgated thereunder.
"May"
is permissive.
"Month"
means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed.
"Must" and "shall"
are each mandatory.
"Number"
the singular number shall include the plural and the plural number shall include the singular.
"Oath"
includes an affirmation or declaration in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."
"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.
"Owner"
applies to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, or the whole or a part of such building or land.
"Person"
includes a natural person, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, association, club, company, corporation, business, trust, organization or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, officer or employee of any of them.
"Personal property"
includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debts.
"Preceding" and "following"
means next before and next after, respectively.
"Property"
include real and personal property.
"Real property"
includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
"Quarterly"
when used to designate a period of time shall mean the first three calendar months of any given year or any succeeding period of three calendar months.
"Sidewalk"
means that portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
"State"
means the state of California.
"Street"
includes all streets, highways, avenues, lanes, alleys, courts, places, squares, curbs, or other public ways in the 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 the state.
"Tenant" and "occupant"
apply to a building or land, include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
"Written"
includes printed, typewritten, mimeographed, multigraphed, or otherwise reproduced in permanent visible form.
"Year"
means a calendar year.
(Prior code § 1-3.13; Ord. 96-18 § 1, 1996)
All words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, that technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning and the law shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.
(Prior code § 1-3.14; Ord. 96-18 § 2, 1996)
The following grammatical rule shall apply in the ordinances of the City unless it is apparent from the context that a different construction is intended:
A. 
Gender. Each gender includes the masculine, feminine and neutered genders.
B. 
Singular and Plural. The singular number includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.
C. 
Tenses. Words used in the present tense include the past and the future tenses and vice versa, unless manifestly inapplicable.
(Prior code § 1-3.15; Ord. 96-18 § 3, 1996)
When an act is required by an ordinance, the same being such that it may be done as well by an agent as by the principal, such requirement shall be construed to include all such acts performed by an authorized agent.
(Prior code § 1-3.16; Ord. 96-18 § 4, 1996)
Except when otherwise provided, the time within which an act is required to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day, unless the last day is Sunday or a holiday, in which case it shall also be excluded.
(Prior code § 1-3.18; Ord. 96-18 § 6, 1996)
The provisions of the ordinances of the City, and all proceedings under them, are to be construed with a view to effect their objects and to promote justice.
(Prior code § 1-3.19; Ord. 96-18 § 7, 1996)