In the construction of this code and of all ordinances of the city, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council or the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) And, or. The word “and” may be read as “or” and the word “or” may be read as “and” where the sense requires it.

(2) Bond. When bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.

(3) City. The words “the city” shall mean the City of Travelers Rest, in the County of Greenville and State of South Carolina, except as where otherwise provided.

(4) Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, and if the last day is a Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

(5) Council or city council. The words “council” or “city council” shall mean the council of the City of Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

(6) County. The word “county” shall mean the County of Greenville, State of South Carolina.

(7) Gender. Words importing masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

(8) Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

(9) Minor. The word “minor” shall mean any person under the age of eighteen years, unless otherwise specifically provided.

(10) Month. The word “month” shall mean a calendar month.

(11) Number. Words used in the singular number include the plural and the plural shall include the singular number.

(12) 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.”

(13) Owner. The word “owner,” applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or part of such building or land.

(14) Person. The word “person” shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.

(15) Personal property. This term shall include every species of property except real property, as defined in this section.

(16) Preceding, following. The words “preceding” and “following” shall mean the next before and the next after, respectively.

(17) Property. The word “property” shall include real and personal property.

(18) Real property and real estate. These terms shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

(19) Roadway. The word “roadway” shall mean that portion of a street or thoroughfare improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

(20) Shall, may. The word “shall” is mandatory; the word “may” is permissive.

(21) Sidewalk. The word “sidewalk” shall mean any portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

(22) Signature of subscription. Term to include a mark when a person cannot write.

(23) State. The word “state” or “this state” shall be construed to mean the State of South Carolina.

(24) Street. The word “street” shall include avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and approaches thereto, and all other public thoroughfares in the city, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. It shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council.

(25) Tenant or occupant. The words “tenant” or “occupant” applied to a building or land shall include any person who occupies the whole or part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

(26) Time. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past or present.

(27) Writing. The words “writing” and “written” shall include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.

(28) Year. The word “year” shall mean a fiscal year. (Ord. O-26-92 (part), 1992; Ord. 12-89 (part), 1989; prior code § 1-3-65)