How to Read and Understand the County Code

In ascertaining the construction or meaning of the Code the following rules shall be observed unless it shall be apparent from the context that a different construction or meaning is intended:General Rule. All words and phrases shall be understood according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases that may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be understood according to that peculiar and appropriate meaning.Ambiguous Context. Where the words of a law are ambiguous the meaning may be sought by examining the context with which the ambiguous words, phrases, and sentences may be compared, in order to ascertain their true meaning. In addition, the reason and spirit of the law, and the cause which induced the Council to enact it, may be considered to discover its true meaning. Finally, every construction which leads to an absurdity shall be rejected.Ordinances in Pari Materia. Ordinances in pari materia, or upon the same subject matter, shall be construed with reference to each other. What is clear in one ordinance may be called in aid to explain what is doubtful in another.Number and Gender. Every word in the Code shall extend to and be applied to all genders; and every word in singular or plural number shall signify both the singular and plural number.Tenses. Every word used in the present tense shall include the future."Must" and "Shall," "May." The terms "must" and "shall" are mandatory. The term "may" is permissive."Or," "And." Each of the terms "or" and "and" has the meaning of the other or of both.Acts by Subordinate Officer. When any provision in the Code requires an act to be done, which may by law as well be done by a subordinate officer as by the superior officer, the requirement shall include all acts when done by an authorized subordinate officer.Computation of Time. The time within which an act is to be done as provided in any provision in this Code, when expressed in days, shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Sunday or holiday, in which case it is also excluded.