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RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

In the constitution of this Code, and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the City Council:

The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future, the present.

The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

“Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.

“Or” may be read “and” and “and” may be read “or” if the sense requires it.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, the time within which an act is required to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last; except that the last day shall be excluded if it is Sunday or a holiday.

“Writing” and “written” includes any form or recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required or authorized by this Code, it shall be made in writing in the English language, unless expressly provided otherwise.

“Chapter” shall mean one of the major divisions of the Code, identified by an Arabic numeral, and divided by subject matter.

“Section” shall mean a major subdivision of a chapter.

“Subsection” shall mean a subdivision of a section, identified by a decimal number.

“Paragraph” shall mean a subdivision under a subsection, identified by an alphabetical letter and/or Arabic number.

Whenever certain hours are named in this Code, they shall mean Pacific Standard Time of Pacific Daylight-Saving Time, as may be in current use in the City.

Any citation of a statute, law or ordinance contained in this Code shall be deemed to refer to such statute, law or ordinance as amended, whether or not such designation is included in the citation.

In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirement adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of this Code imposes greater restriction upon the subject matter than any general provisions imposed by this Code, the provisions imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be applicable. (Code 1972 §1-2)