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

In the construction of this code and of all ordinances, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council or the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1)

City. The words "the city" shall mean the City of High Point.

(2)

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 be Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

(3)

Council. The words "the council" shall mean the council of the City of High Point, North Carolina.

(4)

County. The words "the county" shall mean the respective counties of Guilford, Randolph and Davidson, North Carolina, except as otherwise provided.

(5)

Gender. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

(6)

In the city or within the city shall mean any territory, the jurisdiction of which, for the exercise of its regulatory power, has been conferred by general or special law.

(7)

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

(8)

May. The word "may" is permissive.

(9)

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

(10)

Number. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural includes the singular number.

(11)

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, and in such cases the words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."

(12)

Owner. The word "owner" when applied to buildings or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or part of such building or land.

(13)

Person. The word "person" shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.

(14)

Personal property includes every species of property except real property, as herein defined.

(15)

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

(16)

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

(17)

Real property shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

(18)

Shall. The word "shall" is mandatory.

(19)

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians.

(20)

Signature or subscription includes a mark when the person cannot write.

(21)

State. The words "the state" shall mean the State of North Carolina.

(22)

Street. The word "street" shall mean and include any public way, road, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, alley, lane, viaduct, bridge and the approaches thereto within the city.

(23)

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

(24)

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

(25)

Writing. The words "writing" and "written" shall include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.

(26)

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

State law reference

Rules of construction, G.S. 123; computation of time, G.S. 1-593.