§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the rules and definitions set out in this section shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of county commissioners. The rules of construction and definitions set out herein shall not be applied to any section of this Code which shall contain any express provisions excluding such construction, or where the subject matter or context of such section may be repugnant thereto.

Generally. 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 board of county commissioners may be fully carried out. Terms used in this Code, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall have the meanings prescribed by the statutes of the state for the same terms. In the interpretation and application of any provisions of this Code, they 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 this 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.

Board, board of county commissioners. The term "board" or "board of county commissioners" shall mean the board of county commissioners of Columbia County, Florida.

Code. Whenever the terms "Code" and "this Code" are referred to without further qualification, such terms shall mean the Code of Ordinances, Columbia County, Florida, as designated in section 1-1.

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; if the last day is a Sunday or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.

County. The term "county," "the county" or "this county" shall mean Columbia County, in the State of Florida.

County limits. The term "county limits" shall mean the legal boundaries of Columbia County.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or some other county officer or employee to do some act or perform some duty, it is to 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.

Fla. Const. The term "Fla. Const." shall refer to the Florida Constitution, as amended.

F.S. The letters "F.S." shall refer to the Florida Statutes, as amended.

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

State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 1.01(2).

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

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

Nontechnical and technical terms. Terms and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical terms and phrases and such other as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.

Number. A term importing the singular number only may be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person or thing. The use of the plural number shall be deemed to include any single person or thing.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 1.01(1).

Oath. The term "oath" shall 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."

State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 1.01(5).

Officer, official, department, etc. Whenever reference is made to any officer, official, employee, department, board, commission or other agency, the reference will be taken to be to such officer, official, employee, department, board, commission or agency of Columbia County, Florida.

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

Ordinance. The term "ordinance" shall mean any ordinance of Columbia County and all amendments thereto.

Owner. The term "owner," when 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 term "person" shall be applied to individuals including children, firms, companies, associations, joint ventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, organizations, and all other groups and legal entities or combinations thereof.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 1.01(3).

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Tense. Terms used in the present tense include the future.

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

Written, in writing. The terms "written" or "in writing" shall include any representation of terms, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise, except with respect to an individual's signature.

State Law reference— "Writing" defined, F.S. § 1.01(4).

Year. The term "year" shall mean a calendar year, unless a fiscal year is indicated.

State law reference

Construction of statutes, F.S. § 1.01 et seq.