Chapter 1.04
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
1.04.030 Interpretation of language.
1.04.040 Grammatical interpretation.
1.04.060 Prohibited acts include allowing and concealing.
1.04.090 Repeal does not revive any ordinances.
1.04.010 Definitions.
The following words and phrases, whenever used in the ordinances of the city, are to 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:
A. “City” and “town” each mean the area within the corporate limits of the city of Sequim, Washington, and such territory outside the corporate limits over which the city has jurisdiction or control by virtue of any constitutional or statutory provision.
B. “Council” means the city council of the city.
C. “County” means the county of Clallam.
D. “Law” denotes applicable federal law, the Constitution and statutes of the state of Washington, the ordinances of the city of Sequim, and, when appropriate, any and all rules and regulations which may be promulgated thereunder.
E. “May” is permissive.
F. “Month” means calendar month.
G. “Must,” “will,” and “shall” are mandatory.
H. “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” are equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed.” An oath or affirmation, when required in writing, may be a “statement under penalty of perjury,” pursuant to RCW 9A.72.085.
I. “Owner,” applied to a building or land, includes every part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.
J. “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.
K. “Personal property” includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debt.
L. “Preceding” and “following” means next before and next after, respectively.
M. “Property” includes real and personal property.
N. “Real property” includes lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
O. “State” means the state of Washington unless context indicates otherwise.
P. “Written” includes printed, typewritten, handwritten, digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced in permanent visible form.
Q. “Year” means a calendar year unless otherwise specified. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 1, 1986)
1.04.020 Title of office.
Use of the title of any officer, employee, department, board, or commission means that officer, employee, department, board, or commission of the city of Sequim, unless otherwise specifically indicated. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 2, 1986)
1.04.030 Interpretation of language.
All words and phrases are to be construed 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 law are to be construed and understood according to that peculiar and appropriate meaning. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 3, 1986)
1.04.040 Grammatical interpretation.
The following grammatical rules apply in the ordinances of the city of Sequim, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
A. Gender. Each gender includes the masculine, feminine, and neuter genders, and nonbinary pronouns (“they,” “them”) may be used to simplify language.
B. Singular and Plural. The singular may include the plural and the plural may include the singular.
C. Tenses. Words used in the present tense include the past and the future tenses and vice versa, unless manifestly inapplicable. Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); (Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 4, 1986)
1.04.050 Acts by agents.
When an ordinance requires an act that can be performed by a principal or an agent, the requirement is construed to include all such acts performed by an authorized agent. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 5, 1986)
1.04.060 Prohibited acts include allowing and concealing.
Allowing or permitting a violation of the Sequim Municipal Code, or concealing the fact of an act or omission that violates the Sequim Municipal Code, may be considered unlawful acts equal to a direct violation of the Sequim Municipal Code. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 6, 1986)
1.04.070 Computation of time.
Except when otherwise provided, the time within which an act is required to be done will be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day, unless the last day is Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, in which case that day is also excluded. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 7, 1986)
1.04.080 Construction.
The provisions of the city of Sequim, and all proceedings under them, are to be construed with a view to effect their objects and to promote justice. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 8, 1986)
1.04.090 Repeal does not revive any ordinances.
The repeal of an ordinance does not repeal the repealing clause of an ordinance or revive any ordinance which has been repealed thereby. (Ord. 2024-001 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 491 § 9, 1986)