§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

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

Bond. When a bond is required by law, an undertaking in writing, without seal, is sufficient; and in all bonds where the names of the obligors do not appear in the bond, but are subscribed thereto, they shall be bound thereby.

City. "City" shall mean the City of Riverdale, Georgia.

City council. "City council" shall mean the city council of Riverdale, Georgia.

Charter. "Charter" shall mean the Charter of the City of Riverdale, Georgia.

Code. "Code" shall mean the Code of the City of Riverdale, Georgia, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. Except as otherwise provided by time period computations specifically applying to other laws, when a period of time measured in days, weeks, months, years or other measurements of time except hours is prescribed for the exercise of any privilege or the discharge of any duty, the first day shall not be counted, but the last day shall be counted; and, if the last day falls on Saturday or Sunday, the party having such privilege or duty shall have through the following Monday to exercise the privilege or to discharge the duty. When the last day prescribed for such action falls on a public and legal holiday as set forth in O.C.G.A. § 1-4-1, the party having the privilege or duty shall have through the next business day to exercise the privilege or to discharge the duty. When the period of time prescribed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.

Corporate limits. "Corporate limits" shall mean the corporate limits of the City of Riverdale.

County. Whenever the words "county," "the county" or "this county" are used they shall refer to Clayton County, Georgia.

Court. "Court" shall mean the municipal court provided by law for the punishment of offenders against the laws or ordinances of the city, whether the same shall be the court now constituted or a court hereafter established pursuant to law.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision requires the head of a department or an official of the city to do some act or perform some function, it shall be construed to authorize the head of such department or the official to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to do the required act or perform the required function, unless the terms of the provisions designate otherwise.

Gender. The masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of the Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provision imposed by the Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

Joint authority. A joint authority given to any number of persons or officers may be executed by a majority of them, unless it is otherwise declared.

Month, year. "Month" and "year" shall mean calendar month and calendar year unless otherwise provided.

Names of officers, departments. The name or title of any officer or department shall be read as though the words "of the City of Riverdale" were added thereto.

Nontechnical and technical words. The ordinary significance shall be applied to all words, except words of art, or words connected with a particular trade or subject matter, in which case they shall have the significance attached to them by experts in such trade, or with reference to such subject matter.

Number. The singular or plural number shall each include the other, unless expressly excluded.

Oath. "Oath" shall include affirmation.

O.C.G.A. "O.C.G.A." shall mean the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended.

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

Person. "Person" shall extend and be applied to firms, partnerships, associations, organizations, corporations, and bodies politic, or any combination thereof, as well as to natural persons.

Preceding, following. "Preceding" and "following" shall mean generally next before and next after unless the context requires a different significance.

Property. "Property" shall include real and personal property.

Schedule of fees and charges. "Schedule of fees and charges" shall mean the official consolidated list compiled and published by the city which contains rates for utility and other public enterprises, fees, deposit amounts and various charges as determined from time to time by the city council, an official copy of which is maintained in the office of the city clerk where it is available for reference and review during normal business hours.

Shall, may. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory; "may" is permissive.

Signature or subscription. A signature or subscription shall include the mark of all illiterate or infirm persons.

State. Whenever the words "state," "the state" or "this state" are used they shall refer to the State of Georgia.

Street. "Street" shall include streets, sidewalks, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes and all other public highways in the city, unless otherwise provided.

Substantial compliance. A substantial compliance with any requirement of this Code or ordinances amendatory thereof, especially on the part of public officers, shall be deemed and held sufficient; and no proceeding shall be declared void for want of such compliance, unless expressly so provided.

Tense. The present or past tense shall include the future.

Writing. "Writing" shall include printing and all numerals, and also pictures, illustrations, and printed or written designs.

State law reference

Computation of time, O.C.G.A. § 1-3-1; statutory definitions and rules of construction, O.C.G.A. § 1-3-1 et seq.; construction of definitions, O.C.G.A. § 1-3-2; meaning of certain words, O.C.G.A. § 1-3-3; time, O.C.G.A. § 9-11-6.