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.
The provisions of this Code, insofar as they are substantially
the same as existing ordinances relating to the same subject matter,
shall be construed as restatements and continuations and not as new
enactments.
All person 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under any of the ordinances repealed by this Code, which offices are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 such offices according
to their former tenure.
The 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.
"Section" shall mean a section of this Code, unless some other
source is specifically mentioned. "Subsection" shall mean a subsection
of the section in which the term occurs, unless some other section
is expressly mentioned.
This Code shall refer only to the omission or commission of
acts within the territorial limits of the City and to that territory
outside the City over which the City has jurisdiction or control by
virtue of the Constitution, or any law, or by reason of ownership
or control of property.
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.
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.
Whenever a reference is made to any portion of this Code, or
to any ordinances of this City, the reference applies to all amendments
and additions now or hereafter made.
Whenever a notice is required to be given under this Code, unless
different provisions herein are otherwise specifically made in said
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.
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 shows service in conformity with this
Code, or other provisions of law applicable to the subject matter
concerned.
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.
The following words shall be interpreted as follows, unless
otherwise apparent from the context:
"Calendar year"
means from January 1 through December 31 of any given year.
"Fiscal year"
means from July 1 of any given year through June 30 of the
following year.
"Gender."
The masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter.
"Month"
means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed.
"Number."
The singular number includes the plural, and the plural,
the singular.
"Office."
The use of the title of any officer, employee, office or
ordinance shall mean such officer, employee, office or ordinance of
this City, unless otherwise specified.
"Owner,"
as applied to a building or land, shall include any part
owner, joint owner, tenant, tenant in common, or joint tenant of the
whole or a part of such building or land.
"Person"
includes any person, firm, company, corporation, partnership,
association, any public corporation, political subdivision, city,
excepting the City of Ojai, County of Ventura, district in the County
of Ventura, the State of California, or the United States of America,
or any department or agency of any thereof, unless this Code expressly
provides otherwise.
"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.
"State"
is the State of California.
"Street"
includes all streets, highways, avenues, boulevards, alleys,
courts, places, squares, 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 this state.
"Tenant or occupant,"
as applied to a building or land, shall include any person
who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether
alone or with others.
"Tenses."
The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and
the future, the present.