§ 17.04.050. Rules for construction of language.

A.

General. All provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this Zoning Code shall be construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the metropolitan county council may be fully carried out.

B.

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 Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, that day shall be excluded. In the computation of time for public hearing notice, both the first day (day of the advertisement) and the last day (day of the hearing) shall be excluded. The following time-related words shall have the meanings ascribed below.

1.

"Day" means a calendar day unless working day is specified.

2.

"Week" means seven calendar days.

3.

"Month" means a calendar month.

4.

"Year" means a calendar year, unless otherwise indicated.

C.

Conjunctions. Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows:

1.

"And" indicates that all connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply.

2.

"Or" indicates that one or more of the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply.

3.

"Either or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply singularly but not in combination.

D.

Delegation of Authority. The head of a department or other officer may authorize subordinates to perform the required acts or duties of this Zoning Code unless the terms of the provision or section specify otherwise.

E.

Jurisdiction. The words "Nashville" or "Metropolitan Nashville" mean the area of jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, exclusive of the incorporated municipalities.

F.

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.

G.

Number. A word indicating the singular number may be extended and applied to include the plural. The use of the plural number shall be deemed to include the singular unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

H.

Fractions. When any requirement of these regulations results in a fraction of a dwelling unit or other measurement, that fraction will be disregarded and the fraction if less than 0.5 shall be rounded down the nearest whole number, and if equal to or greater than 0.5 shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

I.

Public Officials, Bodies and Agencies. All public officials, bodies and agencies to which reference is made are those of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, unless otherwise indicated. All professionals to which reference is made shall be licensed to practice in the State of Tennessee.

J.

Shall and May. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary. The word "may" is permissive.

K.

Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past or present, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

L.

Text. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Zoning Code and any figure, the text shall control.

M.

"Written" means any representation of words, letters or figures whether by printing or other form or method of writing.

(Ord. 99-1616 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 96-555 § 1.5, 1997)