§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and all ordinances found herein, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dallas:

City. The term "the city" or "this city" means the City of Dallas, Georgia.

City limits. The term "city limits" means the corporate limits of the City of Dallas, Georgia.

Code of Ordinances, the Code and this Code. The term "Code of Ordinances," "the Code" and "this Code" means the Codified Ordinances of the City of Dallas, Georgia.

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 day shall be excluded if it is a Sunday or a holiday.

Council, city council. The term "the council" or "the city council" means the mayor and council of the City of Dallas, Georgia.

County. The term "the county" or "this county" means the County of Paulding, Georgia.

Court. The term "court" means the municipal court of the City of Dallas, Georgia, except where otherwise stated.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision of this Code requires the head of a department of the city to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department to designate, delegate, and authorize subordinates to do the required act or perform the required duty unless the terms of the provision designate otherwise.

Gender. A word importing the masculine gender shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations, as well as to males.

Governing authority, governing body. The term "governing authority" or "governing body" means the mayor and council of the City of Dallas, Georgia.

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirement adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of this Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provision imposed by this Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

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.

Judge or municipal judge. The term "judge" or "municipal judge" means the judge of the municipal court of the City of Dallas, except where otherwise stated.

Keeper or proprietor. The term "keeper" or "proprietor" means and includes persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and partnerships, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.

Limits, corporation or city. The term "limits," "corporation" or "city" means the corporate limits of the city, the legal boundaries of the City of Dallas, except where the provision clearly intends otherwise.

May. The term "may" is to be construed as being permissive.

Mayor. Whenever the term "mayor" is used, it means the mayor of the City of Dallas, Georgia.

Mayor and council. Whenever the term "mayor and council" is used, it means the mayor and council of the City of Dallas, Georgia.

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

O.C.G.A. The abbreviation "O.C.G.A." refers to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

Oath. The term "oath" includes 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."

Officials or officers. Whenever reference is made to officials, boards, commissions, departments or other municipal agents by title only, such reference shall be read as though followed by the words "of the City of Dallas, Georgia."

Or, and. The term "or" may be read "and" and the term "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, joint tenant or person in possession under a bond for title.

Person. The term "person" extends and is applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, estates, trusts, cooperatives, receivers, fiduciaries, partnerships and all other 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 and personal property.

Public place. The term "public place" means any park, cemetery, schoolyard or open space adjacent thereto, or any area available and/or accessible to the public.

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

Shall. The term "shall" is mandatory.

Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" means 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 the mark of a person intended as such when the person cannot write.

State. The term "the state" or "this state" means the State of Georgia.

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

Tenant, occupant. The term "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, includes 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.

Title of officer. Whenever the title of an officer is given, it shall be construed as though the words "of the City of Dallas" were added.

Week. The term "week" means seven days.

Written or in writing. The term "written" or "in writing" includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

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

(Comp. Ords. 2005, § 1-102)

State law reference

Similar provisions, O.C.G.A. §§ 1-3-1, 1-3-3.