§ 1-2. Rules of construction, definitions.

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of this county, the following rules of construction and definitions shall be observed, unless such construction or definition would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the quorum court, be repugnant to the context of the provisions, or the context clearly requires otherwise.

Generally. All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common and approved usage of language; but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.

Code. The terms "Code" or "this Code" shall refer to the Pulaski County Code.

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 words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Pulaski, and shall be construed as if the words "of Pulaski County" followed them and shall extend to and include its several officers, agents and employees.

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

Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three (3) 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 specifically declared.

Law. Any statute, ordinance or regulation promulgated by the United States, the state, the county or any agencies thereof, as well as the rules and regulations of other bodies politic that may be appropriate.

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."

Officials, employees, boards, commissions, etc. Whenever reference is made to officials, employees, boards, commissions or other agencies of the county by title only, i.e., it shall be deemed to refer to the officials, employees, boards, commissions or other agencies of this county.

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and" and "and" may be read "or" if the context of the provision requires it.

Owner. The word "owner" shall, when applied to a building or land, 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 include and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

Personal property includes every species of property except real property.

Public property. The term "public property" shall mean any property, real or personal, owned by the county or lawfully being used, occupied or possessed by the county.

Shall, may. The word "shall" is mandatory. The word "may" is permissive.

State. The words "the state" shall be construed to mean the State of Arkansas.

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

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

Writing, written. The words "writing" and "written" shall include typewriting, printing on paper and any other mode of representing words and letters.

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