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

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

Charter. The terms "this Charter" and "Charter" mean the Charter of the City of Warwick, Rhode Island.

City. The terms "the city" and "this city" shall be construed as if the words "of Warwick, Rhode Island" followed them.

Code. The terms "Code" and "this Code" mean the Code of Ordinances of the City of Warwick, Rhode Island.

Computation of time. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the time within which an act is required by law to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, except that the last shall be excluded if it is Sunday.

Corporate limits; corporation limits. The terms "corporate limits," "corporation limits" and "city limits" mean the legal boundary of the City of Warwick.

Council. The terms "council" and "city council" mean the city council of Warwick.

Councilmember. The term "councilmember" means any person elected to the office of councilmember.

County. The terms "the county" and "this county" mean Kent 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. Words denoting the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter genders.

In the city. The terms "in the city" and "within the city" 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.

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

Land. The terms "land" and "real estate" include rights and easements of an incorporeal nature.

Mayor. The term "mayor" means the mayor of the City of Warwick.

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month.

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. Words used in the singular number only either as descriptive of persons or things, shall extend to and embrace the plural number; and words used in the plural number shall extend to and embrace the singular number.

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, board, commission or other agency. Whenever any officer, department, board, commission, or other agency is referred to by title only, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the City of Warwick, Rhode Island." Whenever, by the provisions of this Code, any officer, department or other city agency of the city is assigned any duty or empowered to perform any act or duty, reference to such officer, department or agency shall mean and include such officer, department or agency or deputy or authorized subordinate.

Or; and. The word "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 or joint tenant of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Person. The term "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, societies, clubs, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

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

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

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

Public place. The term "public place" includes, without limiting the generality thereof, any park, cemetery, schoolyard or open space adjacent thereto, any lake or stream and any highway or street.

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

Shall/may. The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.

Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" means that part of the street exclusively reserved for pedestrians and constructed for such purpose.

Signature; subscription. The terms "signature" and "subscription" include a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The terms "the state" and "this state" 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. Whenever reference is made to "Public Laws" or "P.L.," this shall mean the Public Laws of Rhode Island.

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

Tenant; occupant. The terms "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.

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

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

(Code 1971, § 1-2)