§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.  


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

    Charter. The term "Charter" shall mean the Charter of the City of Lake Butler, Florida, printed as part I of this volume.

    City. The term "city" shall be construed to mean and include the phrase "of Lake Butler, Florida." The word "city" shall also be construed to mean and include the various officers and employees of the city charged with the duty of enforcing the laws and regulations of the city, whether or not in this Code and whether or not the officers and employees are referred to by position.

    City boards, committees, commissions, officers, employees, etc. Whenever reference is made to a board, committee, commission, officer, employee, etc., in this Code, it shall be construed to mean that of the City of Lake Butler, Florida.

    City council. Whenever the term "city council" or "council" is used, it shall mean and refer to the City Council of the City of Lake Butler, Florida.

    Code. Whenever the term "Code" is used, it shall mean this Code of Ordinances of the City of Lake Butler, Florida.

    Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Code, 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 neither 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.

    County. The term "county" shall mean the County of Union.

    State Law reference— Union County boundaries, F.S. § 7.63.

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

    F.S. The abbreviation "F.S." shall mean the latest edition or supplement of the Florida Statutes.

    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.

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

    Month. The term "month" shall mean 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. 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 terms "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the terms "affirm" and "affirmed."

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

    Owner. The term "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 term "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, 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 defined in this section.

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

    Property. The term "property" shall include real and personal property.

    Public place. The term "public place" shall mean any street, park, cemetery, schoolyard or open space adjacent thereto, all canals or other waterways.

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

    Residence. The term "residence" shall be construed to mean the place adopted by a person as his place of habitation and to which, whenever he is absent, he has the intention of returning. When a person eats at one place and sleeps at another, the place where such person sleeps shall be deemed his residence.

    Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

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

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

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

    Tenant, occupant. The term "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 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.

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

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

    Year. The term "year" shall mean a calendar year.

(Code 1963, § 1-2)

State law reference

Definitions of terms used in the Florida Statutes, F.S. § 1.01.