Sec. 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless otherwise specifically provided or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors:

Generally.    The rules of construction given in sections 1-13.1 to 1-15, Code of Virginia, shall govern, so far as applicable, the construction of all words not defined in this section or elsewhere in this Code.

Board of Supervisors; board.    Wherever the term "board of supervisors" or "board" is used, it shall be construed to mean the board of supervisors of the County of York.

Bond.   When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.

Code.    Wherever the term "Code" or "this Code" is used, without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of the County of York, Virginia, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time.    Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the day on which such notice is given or such act is done shall be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall not be counted.

County.   The word "county" shall mean the County of York in the State of Virginia.

County Administrator.    Whenever the term "county administrator" is used, it shall mean the county administrator or his designee.

Gender.   A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.

Health department.    The term "health department" shall mean the department of the public health of the county.

Health officer.    The term "health officer" shall mean the legally designated health authority of the state board of health for the county or his authorized representative.

Joint authority.    Words purporting to give authority to three (3) or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.

Month.   The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.

Number.   A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and things; and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.

Oath.   The word "oath" shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

Officers, boards, etc.    Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, department, board, commission or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the County of York, Virginia."

Official time standard.    Whenever particular hours are referred to, the time applicable shall be official standard time or daylight savings time, whichever may be in current use in the county.

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and" and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.

Owner.   The word "owner," applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirely of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person.   The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

Preceding; following.    The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

Sidewalk.   The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

Signature or subscription includes a mark when a person cannot write.

State; commonwealth.    The words "state" and "commonwealth" shall be construed as if the words "of Virginia" followed.

State Code and state regulations.    References to the "State Code" or "Code of Virginia" shall mean the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.  Whenever this code incorporates, by reference, any state statute or regulation into an ordinance, the incorporation by reference shall include any future amendments to the referenced state statutes or regulations, unless contrary intent is specifically stated in the ordinance.

Street; highway; road.    The words "street," "highway" and "road" shall include public streets, avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the county, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. Such words shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors.

Swear; sworn.    The word "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the word "affirm" or "affirmed' in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

Tense.   Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.

Written or in writing shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

Year.   The word "year" shall be construed to mean a calendar year; and the word "year" alone shall be equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord."

(Ord. No. 03-1, 1/21/03)