Chapter 1.04
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
1.04.020 Grammatical interpretation.
1.04.030 Prohibited acts include causing or permitting.
1.04.010 Definitions.
The following words and phrases used in this code or in the ordinances or resolutions of the county shall be construed as defined in this section, unless from the context it is clear that a different meaning is specifically defined and particularly directed to the use of such words or phrases:
A. “Board” means the board of county commissioners of the county, in its capacity and acting as such. “All its members” or “all commissioners” shall mean the total number of the members of the board provided by the general laws of the state. “Members” or “commissioners” shall mean the members of the board in their capacity and acting as such, but individually.
B. “Code,” “Douglas County Code” and its abbreviation “DCC” mean the codification of the ordinances and resolutions of the county.
C. “Comprehensive plan” means the general plan of the county duly certified pursuant to RCW 36.70.320 for the physical development of the county or communities therein, showing neighborhoods, arterials, proposed land use, or information or policy statements concerning development, which serves as the basis for zoning ordinances and other official plans.
D. “Constitution” or its abbreviation “Const.” means the Constitution of the State; “United States Constitution” or its abbreviation “U.S. Const.” shall mean the Constitution of the United States of America.
E. “County” means the County of Douglas, State of Washington, and shall encompass all area within the territorial limits of the county as recognized by Const. Art. 11, Sec. 1 and such territory outside such limits over which the county has jurisdiction with reference to a particular subject matter by virtue of any state constitutional or statutory provision; except that, for purposes of application of any county ordinance or resolution, “county” shall be construed to include all such areas to which such ordinance or resolution may apply as limited in the application thereof by any State constitutional or statutory provision.
F. “Law” means any and all applicable statutes of the United States and the state, their respective constitutions, the ordinances and resolutions of the county, and where appropriate any and all regulations which are or may be promulgated thereunder; and reference to any law shall mean such law as enacted as of or amended after the effective date of the enactment from which this section derives.
G. “May” shall be construed as permissive.
H. “Must” and “shall” shall be construed as mandatory.
I. “Oath” includes “affirmation.”
J. Office: The use of the title of any officer, office, employee, department, or agency as a proper noun shall mean such officer, office, employee, department, or agency of the county, and shall include all employees, agents, representatives, and/or deputies thereof duly authorized to do the particular act or exercise the particular authority; except that, such title, followed by the word “only” or “personally,” means such officer individually and shall not include any agent, employee, representative, or deputy.
K. “Person” means natural person, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, association, club, company, corporation, business, trust, organization, agency, government, or other legal or actual entity, and/or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, employee, representative, or officer of any of them; except that, it shall not include any governmental entity to which a particular ordinance or resolution shall not apply by operation of law.
L. “Planning commission” means the planning commission of the county.
M. “Planning director” means the planning director of the county.
N. “Resolution” means a duly adopted law of the county, provided, that a temporary or special law, administrative action, order or directive may be in the form of a resolution.
O. “Revised Code of Washington” or its abbreviation “RCW” means the codification of the duly enacted statutes of the state.
P. “State” as a proper noun means the state of Washington.
Q. “United States Code” or its abbreviation “USC” means the codification of the duly enacted statutes of the United States.
R. “Washington Administrative Code” or its abbreviation “WAC” means the duly promulgated rules and regulations of the state.
S. “Written” includes printed, typewritten, mimeographed or multigraphed writings. (Res. CE 93-034 (part); prior code § 1.04.010)
1.04.020 Grammatical interpretation.
The following grammatical rules shall apply to the interpretations of this code and of the ordinances and resolutions of the county:
A. Gender. Any gender includes the other genders.
B. Singular and Plural. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.
C. Tenses. Words used in the present tense include past and future, and vice versa.
D. Use of Words and Phrases. Words and phrases not specifically defined shall be construed according to the context and approved usage of the language. (Prior code § 1.04.020)
1.04.030 Prohibited acts include causing and permitting.
Wherever in this code any act or omission is made unlawful it shall include causing, allowing, permitting, aiding, abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission. (Prior code § 1.04.030)
1.04.040 Construction.
The provisions of this code and all proceedings thereunder are to be construed so as to effect its objects and to promote justice. (Prior code § 1.04.040)