Sec. 1-2. - Rules of construction and definitions.

In the construction of this Revision and of all ordinances hereafter enacted, the following interpretations shall be placed on the words and phrases mentioned in this section, unless such construction or interpretation would 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 word Charter shall mean the Charter of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, printed as Part I of this volume.

City. The word "city" shall be construed to mean the City of East Providence.

Code. Whenever the words "Code" or "this Code" are used they shall mean and refer to "Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence" 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, 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.

Council. The words "city council" or "council" shall mean the city council of East Providence.

County. The word "county" shall mean 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 town, as the case may be, to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or to make the required inspection, unless the terms of the provision designate otherwise.

G.L. 1956. The term "G.L. 1956" shall mean the latest edition or reenactment of the General Laws of Rhode Island, Reenactment of 1956.

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.

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

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Revision, 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 Revision imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provisions imposed by the Revision, 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 words "keeper" and "proprietor" shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and partnerships, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.

Land. The words "land" and "real estate" shall include rights and easements of incorporeal nature.

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

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 or thing, and a word importing the plural number may be applied to one person or thing. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-4.

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. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-11.

Officer, employee, department, board, commission, agency. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, department, board, commission or agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island."

Or, and. The word "and" may be read as "or," and the word "or" may be read as "and," 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 or joint tenant of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, societies, clubs, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals. 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 words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-16.

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

Public place. The term "public place" shall include any park, cemetery, school yard or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.

Real property. The term "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-10.

Revision. The word "Revision" shall mean the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island as designated in section 1-1, and also referred to herein as this Code.

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

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

State. The word "state" shall be construed to mean the State of Rhode Island.

State law reference. Whenever reference is made to Public Laws or P.L., this shall mean the Public Laws of Rhode Island.

Street. The word "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the city.

Tenant or occupant. The word "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.

Written, in writing. The words "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.

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 1-2)

State Law reference— State law as to construction and effect of statutes, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-1 et seq.