§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

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

Board of supervisors, board. Wherever the words "board of supervisors" or "board" are used, such words shall be construed to mean the board of supervisors of the County of Goochland, Virginia.

Code. Whenever the terms "Code" or "this Code" are referred to without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of the County of Goochland, Virginia, as designated in section 1-1.

Code of Virginia. The words "Code of Virginia" shall mean the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended.

Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done in a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the day on which such notice is given or such act is done shall be counted in computing the time; however, when a notice is required to be given or an act to be done within a certain time after an event has occurred or judgment rendered, the time shall be computed without including the day the notice is issued or the judgment rendered. When the last day for any act to be done falls on a day the county offices are closed, including weekends, holidays, or due to inclement weather, the act may be done on the next day the county offices are open.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-210.

County. The word "county" shall be construed as if the words "of Goochland, Virginia" followed it.

Definitions. Definitions given within any article or chapter of this Code shall apply only to words or phrases used in such article or chapter unless otherwise provided.

Designee. The word "designee" following the title of any official of the county shall mean the authorized agent, employee, or representative of such official.

Fee. The word "fee" or other monetary term means an amount fixed from time to time by the board of supervisors.

Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-216.

Highway. The word "highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in the county, including the streets and alleys, and, for law enforcement purposes, the entire width between the boundary lines of all private roads or private streets which have been specifically designated "highways" by an ordinance adopted by the board.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-100.

Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three (3) or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1.13-1.

May. The word "may" is permissive.

Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month unless otherwise expressed.

Number. A word used in the singular includes the plural and a word used in the plural includes the singular.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 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.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-228; when affirmation may be made, Code of Virginia, § 49-9.

Officers, boards, employees, departments, commissions. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, department, board, commission or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the County of Goochland, Virginia." A reference to a particular officer shall also be construed as if followed by the words "or his duly authorized designee," subject, however, to the provisions of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1502.

Owner. The word "owner," 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 word "person" shall include any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture, or other legal entity or combination of individuals of whatever form and character.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-230.

Public place. The word "public place" shall mean and include any public street, road, or highway, alley, lane, sidewalk, crosswalk, or other public way, or any public resort, place of amusement, stadium, athletic field, park, playground, public building or grounds appurtenant thereto, school building or grounds, public parking lot or any vacant lot, the elevator, lobby, halls, corridors and areas open to the public of any store, office, or apartment building, or any other place commonly open to the public.

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

Registered mail. The words "registered mail" shall include certified mail with return receipt requested.

Shall. The word "shall" is mandatory.

Signature, subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" means the name of a person written with his own hand and includes a mark when a person cannot write.

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

State Law reference— "State" defined, Code of Virginia, § 1-245.

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.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-250; when affirmation may be made, Code of Virginia, § 49-9.

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

Words and phrases. Words and phrases shall mean and be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases and others that have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.

Written, in writing. The terms "written" or "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year unless otherwise expressed.

(Ord. No. 1684, § 1, 12-1-15)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-257.

(Ord. No. 1684, § 1, 12-1-15)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 1-257.