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

In the construction of this Code, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Code. The term "Code" refers to the Code of Ordinances, Town of Minersville, Utah, as established and designated in section 1-1.

Committee, commission, officer, department,etc. The title of any committee, commission, department, office or officer shall be interpreted as though the words "of the Town of Minersville, Utah," were added.

Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by ordinance, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. State Law reference— Computation of time, U.C.A. 1953, § 20A-1-104.

Councilmember. The term "councilmember" means a member of the town council.

County. The term "county" means the County of Beaver in the State of Utah.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears authorizing or requiring a particular officer or employee of the town to do some act, it shall be construed to authorize the officer or employee to delegate, designate and authorize subordinates to do the act, unless the terms of the provision or section specify otherwise.

Gender. Words of gender include all genders.

General rule. All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common use and understanding of the language; the technical words and phrases and such other words and phrases as may have acquired a particular meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such particular meaning.

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

May. The term "may" is permissive and not mandatory.

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

Must. The term "must" is always mandatory and not merely permissive.

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language; however, 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 and thing.

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 words "swear" and "sworn" shall include the words "affirm" and "affirmed."

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

Person. The term "person" includes individual natural persons, partnerships, joint adventures, societies, associations, clubs, trustees, trusts or corporations and any officers, agents, employees or factors or any kind of personal representatives of any thereof, in any capacity, acting either for himself or for any other person, under either personal appointment or pursuant to law.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property except real property.

Public place. The term "public place" means the town hall, the post office or any park, cemetery, school yard or open space adjacent thereto and all waterways owned by a public entity.

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

Shall. The term "shall" is always mandatory and not merely permissive.

State. The term "state" means the State of Utah.

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

Tenant or occupant. The terms "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, includes any person holding a written or oral lease, 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" means the Town of Minersville, Utah, and shall extend to and include its several officers, agents and employees.

Town council and council. The terms "town council" and "council" mean the town council of the Town of Minersville, Utah.

U.C.A., Utah Code Annotated. The abbreviation "U.C.A." and the term "Utah Code Annotated" mean and refer to the 1953 recodification of the Utah Code, as amended, unless the text expressly references a portion of the 1953 recodification of the Utah Code as it existed on a certain date.

Written and 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 1981, § 1-005)