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

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances enacted, the following interpretation shall be placed on the words and phrases mentioned in this section, unless such construction or interpretation shall be manifestly inconsistent with the evident intent of the city council or repugnant to the context or to the evident purport of any ordinance:

Charter. The term "Charter" means and refers to the Charter of the City of Central Falls, Rhode Island, as printed in part I of this volume.

City. The term "the city" means the City of Central Falls in Providence County in the State of Rhode Island.

Code. References to "this Code" or "the Code" mean and refer to the Revised Ordinances, City of Central Falls, Rhode Island, as designated in section 1-1. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-13.

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, except that when the last day falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday, the act may be done on the next succeeding day which is not a Sunday or a legal holiday. When a public office in which an act is to be performed is closed to the public for the entire day which constitutes the last day for doing such act, or before its usual closing time on such day, then such act may be performed on the next succeeding day which is not a Sunday or legal holiday. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-13.

Corporate limits, corporation limits. Whenever the terms "corporate limits," "corporation limits," or "city limits" are used, they mean the legal boundary of the City of Central Falls.

Council. The terms "the council" or "council" mean the City Council of the City of Central Falls.

County. The term "the county" or "this county" means Providence County, Rhode Island.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or other officer of the city to do some act or to make certain inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer of the city, as the case may be, to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or make the required inspection, unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.

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. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-3.

G.L. The term "G.L." means the latest edition or reenactment of the General Laws of Rhode Island, Reenactment of 1956, as amended.

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of the Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provision imposed by the Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

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. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-5.

Keeper, proprietor. The terms "keeper" and "proprietor" mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and partnerships, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-12.

Name of officer. Whenever the name of an officer is given it shall be construed as though the words "of the City of Central Falls" were added.

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall 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 shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.

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 thing. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-4.

Oath. The term "oath" shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed." State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-11.

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

Owner. The term "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.

Person. The term "person" includes a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, club, society, body corporate or politic, or any other group acting as a unit, as well as a natural person. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-6.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property except real property, as defined in this section.

Preceding, following. The terms "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-16.

Premises. Whenever the term "premises" is used, it shall mean place or places.

Property. The term "property" includes real and personal property.

Public place. The term "public place" includes, without limitation, any park, cemetery, schoolyard or open space adjacent thereto, and all beaches, canals or other waterways, and any public street or way.

Real property. The term "real property" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments and rights thereto and interests therein. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-10.

Residence. The term "residence" shall be construed to mean the place adopted by a person as his place of habitation, and to which, whenever he is absent, he has the intention of returning. When a person eats at one place and sleeps at another, the place where such person sleeps shall be deemed his residence.

Seal. Whenever the term "seal" is used, it shall mean the town or corporate seal.

Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" means any portion of a street between the vertical curbline or edge of pavement or edge of a traveled way and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways; such portion or "sidewalk" is sometimes designated and known as the pavement "border" area.

Signature, subscription. The "signature" or "subscription" of a person shall include a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The term "the state" shall be construed to mean the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Streets, highways, ways. The terms "streets," "highways" and "ways" when used in an ordinance shall be construed as including public boulevards, avenues, courts, lanes, alleys, squares, drives, roads, corners and sidewalks.

Tenant, occupant. The term "tenant" or "occupant" applied to a building or land includes 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.

Week. The term "week" shall be construed to mean seven days.

Written, in writing. The term "written" or "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-16.

Year. The term "year" means a calendar year.

(Code 1973, § 1-2; Code 1994, § 1-2)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-12.