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

In the construction of this Code and of all other ordinances of the town, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the town council:

Causing an act. Any requirements or prohibitions of any act, shall respectively extend to and include the causing and procuring, directly or indirectly, of such act.

Code. The words "the Code" or "this Code" shall mean the "Bristol Town Code" as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. The time in which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day; and if the last day is Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

Construction of permit provisions with ordinances. Any act otherwise prohibited by law or local ordinance shall be lawful if performed under, by virtue of, and strictly within the provisions of a permit or license so to do, and to the extent authorized thereby.

Council. The words "the council" or "town council" shall mean the town council of the Town of Bristol, Rhode Island.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean Bristol County, Rhode Island.

Crossing. Any crossing whether marked by a pavement or otherwise; the extension to any sidewalk space across any intersecting drive, street or highway.

Curb. Any boundary of any street, road, avenue, boulevard or drive, whether or not marked by a curb.

Daytime, nighttime. The word "daytime" is the period of time between sunrise and sunset; and nighttime is the period of time between sunset and sunrise, unless otherwise defined herein.

Gender. Words used in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

In the town. The words "in the town" or "within the town" shall mean and include all territory over which the town now has, or shall hereafter acquire jurisdiction for the exercise of its police powers or other regulatory powers.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

Keeper and proprietor. The words "keeper" and "proprietor" shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or as a servant, agent or employee.

Land and real estate. The terms "land" and "real estate" include lands, tenements and hereditaments, and rights thereto and interests therein.

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

Number. Words used in the singular number include the plural, and words used in the plural number include the singular.

Oath. When an oath is required or authorized by law, an affirmation in lieu thereof may be taken by a person having conscientious scruples against taking an oath. An affirmation has the same effect as an oath.

Officer, department, etc. Every officer, department, board, commission or similar body mentioned in this Code shall mean an officer, department, board, commission or similar body of the town, unless otherwise specified.

Official time. Whenever certain hours are named in this Code, they shall mean Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, as may be in current use in the town.

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 entirety, of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Pedestrian. The word "pedestrian" shall mean a person afoot.

Person. The word "person" shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization or any other group acting as a unit, as well as a natural person.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property except real property.

Plural, singular. Words importing the singular shall include the plural, words importing the plural shall include the singular.

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

Property. The word "property" includes real, personal and mixed estates and interests.

Real property. The term "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Shall, may. "Shall" is mandatory, and "may" is permissive.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean that part of the street exclusively reserved for pedestrians and constructed for such purpose.

Signature or subscription. The terms "signature" or "subscription" includes a mark when the person cannot write.

Soliciting. Persons selling goods or services by sample or taking orders for future delivery with or without accepting advance payment for goods. Persons seeking any form of contributions.

State. The words "the state" or "this state," shall be construed to mean the State of Rhode Island.

State law references. Whenever reference is made to the "General Laws" or "G.L. 1956," this shall mean the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956, as amended. Whenever reference is made to "Public Laws" or "P.L.," this shall mean the Public Laws of Rhode Island.

Stopping or standing. When prohibited, such term means any cessation of movement of a vehicle occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with pedestrians or other traffic including horses and bicycles.

Tenant or occupant. The words "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of, or who occupies, the whole or a part of such building or land, either alone or with others.

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

Town. The words "the town" or "this town" shall be construed as if the words "of Bristol, Rhode Island" followed them.

Traffic. The word "traffic" shall mean pedestrians and vehicles, either singly or together.

Ways, streets, highways. The words "ways," "streets" and "highways" shall be construed as including boulevards, avenues, courts, lanes, alleys, squares, places and sidewalks, and each of these words includes every other of them.

Weekday. The word "weekday" shall mean Monday through Friday.

Weekend. The word "weekend" shall mean Saturday and Sunday.

Written, in writing. The terms "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 mean a calendar year.

(Code 1972, § 1-2)

Charter reference— Masculine and feminine gender, § 1313.