§ 1-2. Rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances and resolutions passed by the city council, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:

Charter. The term "Charter" means the Charter of the City of The Colony, Texas as it now exists or as it may be amended in the future.

City. The word "city" shall mean the City of The Colony, in the County of Denton and State of Texas.

City council, council. The words "city council," or "council" shall mean the duly constituted governing body of the City of The Colony.

City secretary, mayor, chief of police or other city officers. The words "city secretary," "mayor," "chief of police" or titles of other city officers, departments, employees, boards, commissions or other agencies shall be construed to mean the city secretary, mayor, chief of police or such other city officers, departments, employees, boards, commissions or other agencies, respectively, of the City of The Colony, Texas.

Code. Wherever the term "Code" or "this Code" is referred to without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of Ordinances, City of The Colony, Texas, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done 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, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall not be counted.

County. The word "county" shall mean the County of Denton.

Gender. A word importing one gender shall extend and be applied to the other genders, unless the word can apply only to the one gender.

Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three or more officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons, unless it is otherwise declared.

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

Number. Any word importing the singular number shall include the plural and any word importing the plural number shall include the singular.

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, and in such cases, the words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."

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

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 of a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to proprietorships, trusts, associations, corporations, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals and other legal entities.

Roadway. The word "roadway" shall mean that portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic.

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

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of the street between the curb or the lateral line of the roadway and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

Signature or subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" shall include a mark when a person cannot write.

State. The words "the state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the State of Texas.

Street or highway. The words "street" or "highway" shall include any highway, alley, street, avenue or public place or square, bridge, viaduct, underpass, overpass, tunnel and causeway in the city, dedicated or devoted to public use.

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

Vernon's Ann C.C.P. The term "Vernon's Ann. C.C.P." shall mean Vernon's Annotated Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended.

Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. The term "Vernon's Ann. Civ. St." shall mean Vernon's Annotated Civil Statutes, as amended.

V.T.C.A. The term "V.T.C.A." shall mean Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, as amended.

Written or in writing. The words "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.

(Code 1983, § 1-2)

State law reference

Similar state law definitions, V.T.C.A., Government Code § 311.001 et seq.