§ 1.04.020. Definitions and rules of construction.

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

A.

Definitions.

"Council" and "metropolitan council" means the council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

"General services district" means the general services district of the metropolitan government, established by Section 1.03 of the Metropolitan charter and described in Appendix One of the Metropolitan Charter.

"Metropolitan government" means the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

"Metropolitan government area" means the area included within the boundaries of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, as described in Appendix One of the Metropolitan Charter.

"Month" means a calendar month.

"Oath" means and 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."

"Owner," applied to building or land, means and includes 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" means and includes a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.

"Personal property" means and includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debt.

"Preceding" and "following" means next before and next after, respectively.

"Property" means and includes real and personal property.

"Real estate" and "real property" mean and include lands, tenements and heritaments, and all rights thereto and interests therein, equitable as well as legal.

"Shall" and "May." The word "shall" is mandatory, the word "may" is permissive.

"Sidewalk" means any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians.

"Signature" or "subscription" means and includes a mark, when the person cannot write, the name being written near the mark and witnessed.

"State" means and shall be construed as if the words "of Tennessee" followed it.

"Street" means and includes any public way, road, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, alley, lane, viaduct, bridge, and the approaches thereto, within the metropolitan government area.

"Tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, means and includes any person who occupies the land, means and includes any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

"Urban services district" means the urban services district of the metropolitan government, established by Section 1.03 of the Metropolitan Charter, and described in Appendix One of the Metropolitan Charter.

"Writing" and "written" mean and include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.

"Year" means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed or another intent is obvious from the context.

B.

Rules of Construction.

1.

Bonds. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.

2.

Certified Mail. Certified mail may be used instead of registered mail whenever this code or any other ordinance requires a notice to be given by registered mail.

3.

Computation of Time. The time within which any act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day, unless the last day is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday, and then it shall also be excluded.

4.

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

5.

Joint Authority. All words giving joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers, unless otherwise provided.

6.

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

7.

Officers, Departments and Agencies. The words "metropolitan clerk," "Chief of police," or any other named officer, department or agency, unless otherwise indicated, shall be construed to mean the clerk, chief of police or other officer, department or agency of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

8.

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

(Prior code § 1-1-2)