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

In the construction of this Code 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 town council or repugnant to the context or to the evident purport of any ordinance:

Charter. The term "Charter" means the Charter of the Town of Narragansett, Rhode Island, printed as part I of this volume.

Code. The term "Code" means the Code of Ordinances, Town of Narragansett, Rhode Island, 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.

Corporate limits, corporation limits, town limits. Whenever the terms "corporate limits," "corporation limits" or "town limits" are used they shall mean the legal boundary of the Town of Narragansett.

Council. The terms "council" and "town council" mean the town council of the Town of Narragansett.

County. The term "county" means the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or other officer of the town 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 make the required inspection unless the terms of the provision 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. 1956. The term "G.L. 1956" means the latest edition or reenactment of the General Laws of Rhode Island, Reenactment of 1956.

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 provisions 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" means 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.

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. 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 terms "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the terms "affirm" and "affirmed." The term "engaged" shall be equivalent to the term "sworn" or "affirmed." State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-11.

Officers, departments, etc. Whenever the title of an officer, department, board or other agency is given it shall be construed as though the words "of the Town of Narragansett" were added.

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

Owner. The term "owner," applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint 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.

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 means place or places.

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

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

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

Shall, may. The term "shall" is mandatory, whereas the term "may" is permissive.

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

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

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

Tenant. The term "tenant" and "occupant," applied to a building or land, 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 term "town" shall mean the Town of Narragansett in the County of Washington and the State of Rhode Island.

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

Written, in writing. The terms "written" and "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

(Code 1986, § 1-2)