§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the interpretation and construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the county, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless they are inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors or the context clearly requires otherwise:

Board of supervisors.\Whenever the term "board of supervisors" is used, it shall be construed to mean the board of supervisors of the County of Isle of Wight.

Commonwealth; state.\The words "the commonwealth," "this commonwealth," "the state" or "this state" shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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 day shall be excluded.

For state law as to computation of time within the meaning of state statutes, see Code of Va., § 1-210.

County.\The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Isle of Wight in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Following.\The word "following," when used by way of reference to any section or sections in the Code, shall be construed to mean next following that in which such reference is made.

Gender.\A word importing the masculine gender only may extend and be applied to females and to corporations as well as to males.

For similar state law definition, see Code of Va., §§ 1-216, 2.2-3901.

Health officer; county health officer; health director.\The terms "health officer," "county health officer" and "health director" shall mean the public health officer of the county or representative of the state board of health serving this county.

Month.\Unless otherwise expressed, the word "month" shall be construed to mean a calendar month.

For similar state law definition, see Code of Va., § 1-223.

Number.\A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things, as well as to one person or thing; and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.

For similar state law definition, see Code of Va., § 1-227.

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.

For similar state law definition, see Code of Va., § 1-228.

Occupant.\The word "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall mean any person who holds a written or oral lease of or actually occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, either alone or with others.

Official time standard.\Whenever particular hours are specified in this Code relating to the time within which any act shall or shall not be performed by any person, the time applicable shall be official standard time or Daylight Saving Time, whichever may be in current use in the county.

Or; and."Or" may be read as "and," and "and" may be read as "or," if the sense so requires.

Owner.\The word "owner," applied to any property, 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 property.

Person.\The word "person" shall include a firm, partnership, association of persons, corporation, body politic, organization or any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.

For state law definition of "person" as used in statutes, see Code of Va., § 1-230.

Police officer.\The term "police officer" shall include the sheriff and his deputies, state police officers, United States marshals and their deputies, and all other law enforcement officers having authority to make arrests, but shall not include private citizens who may make arrests under the common law for felonies and breaches of the peace committed in their presence.

Preceding.\The word "preceding," when used by way of reference to any section or sections in this Code, shall be construed to mean next preceding that in which such reference is made.

For similar state law definition, see Code of Va., § 1-13.235.

Property.\The word "property" shall mean real, personal or mixed property.

Public grounds.\The words "public grounds" shall mean the parks and all public lands owned by the county, and those parts of public places which do not form travelled parts of streets as defined in this section.

Road; highway.\The words "road" and "highway" shall have the same meaning as the word "street" as such word is defined in this section.

Shall.\The word "shall" shall be mandatory.

Sidewalk.\The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

State.\See "commonwealth."

Street.\The word "street" shall include avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto, and all other public thoroughfares in the county, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines.

Swear; sworn.\The word "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the word "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

For similar state law definition, see Code of Va., § 1-250.

Treasurer.\The treasurer of the county or other officer designated by law to collect taxes in the county.

Written; in writing.\The words "written" and "in writing" shall include typewriting, printing on paper and any other mode of representing words, letters and figures.

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

All words, terms, etc., not defined in this section or elsewhere in this Code shall be construed as provided in the Code of Virginia. (12-19-13.)

For rules of construction of state statutes, see Code of Va., § 1-202.