Chapter 1.04
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
1.04.020 Grammatical interpretation.
1.04.050 Repeal shall not revive any ordinances.
1.04.010 Definitions.
A. Generally. The following words and phrases, wherever used in the ordinances of the County, shall have the meanings given 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:
“Computation of time” means the time within which an act is to be done. It shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day; and if the last day be Sunday or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
“Council” means the County council of the County of San Juan, Washington. “All its members” means the total number of County council members provided by the County Charter and the general laws of the state of Washington.
“County” means the County of San Juan, Washington, or the area within the territorial limits of the County of San Juan, Washington, and such territory outside the County over which the County has jurisdiction or control by virtue of any constitutional or statutory provision.
“Law” denotes applicable federal law, the Constitution and statutes of the state of Washington, the Charter and the ordinances of the County of San Juan, and, when appropriate, any and all rules and regulations which may be promulgated thereunder.
“May” is permissive.
“Month” means a calendar month.
“Must” and “shall” are mandatory.
“Oath” means and 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” are equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed.”
“Ordinance” means a law of the County; provided, that a temporary or special law, administrative action, order or directive may be in the form of a resolution.
“Owner” applied to a building or land includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or a part of such building or land.
“Person” means 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” means and includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidence of debt.
“Preceding” and “following” mean next before and next after, respectively.
“Property” means and includes real and personal property.
“Real property” means and includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
“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 Washington.
“Street” means and includes all streets, highways, avenues, lanes, alleys, courts, places, squares, curbs or other public ways in this County 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” and “occupant,” applied to a building or land, mean and include any person who occupies all or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
“Written” means and includes printed, typewritten, mimeographed or multigraphed.
“Year” means a calendar year.
B. Title of Office. Use of the title of any officer, employee, department, board, commission or council means that officer, employee, department, board, commission or council of the County.
C. Usage. All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common and approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.
D. Acts of Agents. 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 as to include all such acts performed by an authorized agent. (Ord. 31-2007 § 2; Res. 128-1976. Formerly 1.16.010)
1.04.020 Grammatical interpretation.
The following grammatical rules shall apply in the ordinances of the County:
A. Gender. Designation in the form of any gender includes the masculine, feminine and neuter 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.
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. (Ord. 31-2007 § 3; Res. 128-1976. Formerly 1.16.020)
1.04.030 Prohibited acts.
Whenever in the ordinances of the County any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, allowing, permitting, aiding, abetting, suffering or concealing the fact of such an act or omission. (Ord. 31-2007 § 4; Res. 128-1976. Formerly 1.16.030)
1.04.040 Construction.
The provisions of the ordinances of the County, and all proceedings under them, are to be construed with a view to effect their objects and to promote justice. (Ord. 31-2007 § 5; Res. 128-1976. Formerly 1.16.040)
1.04.050 Repeal shall not revive any ordinances.
The repeal of an ordinance shall not repeal the repealing clause of such ordinance or revive any ordinance which has been repealed thereby. (Ord. 31-2007 § 6; Res. 128-1976. Formerly 1.16.050)