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:

Charter. Reference to "this Charter" or "the Charter" shall mean the Home Rule Charter of the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island, as printed in Part I of this volume.

Code. Reference to "the Code" or "this Code" shall mean the Code of Ordinances, Town of Tiverton, 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; and if the last day is Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

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

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

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. "Land" and "real estate" include rights and easements of incorporeal nature.

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

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

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.

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and" and "and" may be read "or," 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, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

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. "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. "Property" includes real, personal and mixed estates and interests.

Real property. "Real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Written, in writing. "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 1967, § 1-2)