Fulton Definitions and rules of construction ordinance (§ 1-2)

(a) In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the city, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless it shall be otherwise expressly provided in any section or ordinance or unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council or unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

City. The term "the city" or "this city" shall mean the City of Fulton, Missouri.

City council. The term "city council" or "the council" shall mean the city council of Fulton, Missouri.

Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day, and if the last day is Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

Corporate limits, corporation limits, city limits. Whenever the term "corporate limits," "corporation limits" or "city limits" is used, it shall mean the legal boundary of the City of Fulton.

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

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision or section appears requiring the head of a department of the city to do some act or make certain inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the head of the department to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or make the required inspection, unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.

Gender. When any subject matter, party or person is described or referred to by words importing the masculine, females, as well as males, and associations and bodies corporate, as well as individuals, shall be deemed to be included.

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any section 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.

Joint authority. Words importing joint authority to three or more persons shall be construed as authority to a majority of such persons.

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

Month. The term "month" shall mean a calendar month.

Name of officer. Whenever the name of an officer is given, it shall be construed as though the term "of the City of Fulton" were added.

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. When any subject matter, party or person is described or referred to by words importing the singular number, the plural and separate matters and persons and bodies corporate shall be deemed to be included.

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 "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, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person. The term "person" shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as individuals. It shall also include an executor, administrator, trustee, receiver or other representative appointed according to law. Whenever the term "person" is used in any section of this Code prescribing a penalty or fine, as to partnerships or associations, the term shall include the partners or members thereof and as to corporations shall include the officers, agents or members thereof who are responsible for any violation of such section.

Personal property. The term "personal property" shall include every species of property, except real property, as defined in this section.

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

Property. The term "property" shall include real, tangible and intangible personal property.

Public place. The term "public place" shall mean any park, cemetery, schoolyard or open space adjacent thereto and all other property open to the public.

Public way. The term "public way" shall include any street, alley, boulevard, parkway, highway, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare.

Real property, premises, real estate or lands. The terms "real property," "premises," "real estate" or "lands" shall be deemed to be coextensive with 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.

Seal. Whenever the term "seal" is used, it shall mean the city or corporate seal.

Shall; may. The term "shall" is mandatory; the term "may" is permissive.

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

Signature. Where the written signature of any person is required, the proper handwriting of such person or his mark shall be intended.

State. The term "the state" or "this state" shall mean the State of Missouri.

Street. The term "street" shall mean and include any public way, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, alley or other public thoroughfare, and each of such words shall include all of them.

Tangible personal property. The term "tangible personal property" shall include goods, chattels and all personal property, except intangible personal property.

Tenant, occupant. The term "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

Writing. The terms "writing" and "written" shall include printing, lithographing or any other mode of representing words and letters, but in all cases where the signature of a person is required, the proper handwriting of the person or his mark is intended.

Year. The term "year" shall mean a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed, and the term "year" shall be equivalent to the term "year of our Lord."

(b) 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 city council may be fully carried out.