§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all other ordinances of the county, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors or the context clearly requires otherwise:

Board of supervisors, the board. Wherever the words "board of supervisors" or "the board" are used, such words shall be construed to mean the board of supervisors of the County of Lunenburg, Virginia.

Code. Whenever the term "Code" or "this Code" is referred to without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of the County of Lunenburg, Virginia, as designated in section 1-1.

Code of Virginia. The term "Code of Virginia" means the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended.

Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the day on which such notice is given, or such act is done, shall be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall not be counted.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.3.

County. The word "county" shall be construed as if the words "of Lunenburg, Virginia," followed it.

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.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.7.

Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.

May. The word "may" is permissive.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.15.

Oath. The word "oath" shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.16; when affirmation may be made, Code of Virginia, § 49-9.

Officers, agencies. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, employee, department, board, commission or other agency without further qualification, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the County of Lunenburg, Virginia."

Or, and. The term "or" may be read "and," and the term "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 a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall include any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, organization, company, business, trust, joint venture or other legal entity or combination of individuals of whatever form or character.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.19.

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

State law reference— "Following" defined, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.6; "preceding" defined, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.23.

Shall. The word "shall" is mandatory.

Signature or subscription. The term "signature" or "subscription" means the name of a person written with his own hand and includes a mark when a person cannot write.

State, commonwealth. The words "the state," "this state," "the commonwealth" or "this commonwealth" shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.

State law reference— "State" defined, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.26.

Swear, sworn. The words "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.28; when affirmation may be made, Code of Virginia, § 49-9.

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

Written or 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.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.32.

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.32.