How to Read the County Code

In the construction of this code, the following rules shall be observed unless it is apparent from the context that a different construction is intended: A. General Rule. 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. B. Gender—Singular and Plural. Every word in the Permanent Ordinances shall extend to and be applied to all genders; and every word importing the singular number only shall extend to and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; and every word in the plural number shall include the singular number, and every word in the singular number shall include the plural number. C. Tenses. Every word used in the present tense shall include the future. D. Acts by Subordinate Officer. When any provision in this code requires an act to be done, which may by law as well be done by a subordinate officer as by the superior officer, such requirement shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized subordinate officer. E. Time—How Computed. The time within which an act is to be done as provided in any provision in this code or any order issued pursuant to 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. (Prior code § 1-2.1)