§ 33-252. Rules of construction.

For the purposes of the administration and enforcement of this article, unless otherwise stated in this article, the following rules of construction shall apply:

(1)

In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this article and any caption, the text shall control.

(2)

The word "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary, and the word "may" is permissive.

(3)

Words used in the present tense shall include the future; words used in the singular shall include the plural and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary; and words of any gender include the words for the other genders.

(4)

Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, where a regulation involves two (2) or more items, conditions, provisions or events connected by the conjunction "and," "or" or "either...or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

a.

"And" indicates that all the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events shall apply.

b.

"Or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events may apply singly or in any combination.

c.

"Either...or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply singly but not in combination.

(5)

The word "includes" shall not limit a term to the specific example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances or circumstances of like kind or character.

(Ord. No. 92-37, § 1.02, 11-10-92)