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

The following definitions and rules of construction shall apply to this Code and to all ordinances and resolutions unless the context requires otherwise:

Generally. All general provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this Code shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the town council may be fully carried out. 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. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words, technical phrases and words and phrases that have acquired peculiar and appropriate meanings in law shall be construed according to such meanings.

Another. The term "another," when used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons, but also every other owner of property.

Code. Whenever the term "Code" is used, it means the "Ridgeland Code," as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. The time within which any act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday as defined or fixed in any statute now or hereafter in force in the state, and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding such Saturday, Sunday or holiday is also a holiday or a Saturday or Sunday then such succeeding day shall also be excluded.

Conjunctions. In a provision involving two or more items, conditions, provisions or events, which items, conditions, provisions or events are connected by the conjunction "and," "or" or "either … or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows, except that the terms "and" and "or" may be interchangeable: (1)

The term "and" indicates that all the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply.

(2)

The term "or" indicates that the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply singly or in any combination.

(3)

The term "either … or" indicates that the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply singly but not in combination.

Council. The terms "the council" or "town council" means the council of the Town of Ridgeland, South Carolina.

County. The term "county" means the County of Jasper, South Carolina.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a town department or some other town officer or town employee to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or perform the duty.

Gender. Words of one gender include all other genders.

Governor. The term "governor" means the Governor of South Carolina.

Joint authority. All terms giving 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 or proprietor. The term "keeper" or "proprietor" includes all persons, whether acting by themselves or as a servant, agent, or employee.

May. The term "may" means that the act referred to is permissive.

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

Number. The singular includes the plural. The plural includes the singular.

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."

Officers of town and officials of town. Whenever any officer is referred to by title, such as "town clerk," "chief of police," "mayor," etc., such reference shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "of the Town of Ridgeland."

Owner. The term "owner," when applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner, or tenant in common of the whole or part of such property.

Person. The term "person" includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidence of debt.

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

Premises. The term "premises," as applied to property, includes lands and buildings.

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

Public authority. The term "public authority" includes boards of education; the municipal, county, state, or federal government, its officers or an agency thereof; or any duly authorized public official.

Public place. The term "public place" includes any street, sidewalk, park, cemetery, schoolyard, body of water or watercourse, public conveyance, or any other place for the sale of merchandise, public accommodation, or amusement.

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

Reasonable. In all cases where the law requires any act to be done in a reasonable time or reasonable notice to be given, such reasonable time or notice shall mean the time as only may be necessary for the prompt performance of such duty or compliance with such notice.

Registered mail and certified mail. The term "registered mail" includes certified mail, and the term "certified mail" includes registered mail.

Roadway. The term "roadway" means that portion of a street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

S.C. Code 1976. Whenever reference is made, for example, to S.C. Code 1976, § 5-7-280, it shall be construed to refer to the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976, § 5-7-280, as amended, or whatever section is to be cited. Whenever reference is made, for example, to Acts 1944, p. 1301, it shall be construed to refer to page 1301 of the Acts of South Carolina 1944, or whatever page and year is to be cited.

Shall. The term "shall" means that the act referred to is mandatory.

Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" means that portion of the street between the curbline, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

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

State. The term "state" means the State of South Carolina.

Street. The term "street" includes alleys, avenues, boulevards, lanes, roads, highways, viaducts, and all other public thoroughfares within the town.

Tenant or occupant. As applied to premises, the term "tenant" or "occupant" includes any person holding a written or oral lease, or who actually occupies the whole or any part of such premises, alone or with others.

Tense. Terms used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.

Town, municipal corporation, or municipality. When used in this Code, the term "town," "municipal corporation," or "municipality" shall denote the Town of Ridgeland irrespective of its population or legal classification.

Week. The term "week" means seven consecutive days.

Whoever. The term "whoever" includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents, and employees; and all officials, public or private.

Written or in writing. The term "written" or "in writing" includes printing and any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. When the written signature of any person is required, it shall be in the proper handwriting of such person, or in case he is unable to write, his proper mark.

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

(Code 2006, § 10.05)