§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all other ordinances of the county, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors or the context clearly requires otherwise:

Board of supervisors; board. Wherever the words "board of supervisors" or "board" are used, such words shall be construed to mean the Board of County Supervisors of Tazewell County, Virginia.

Code of Virginia. The words "Code of Virginia" shall mean the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended.

Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or any other 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 word "county" shall be construed as if the words "of Tazewell, Virginia" followed it.

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

Health officer. The term "health officer" shall mean the county health director or his duly authorized representatives.

Highway. The word "highway" shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in the Commonwealth, including the streets and alleys, and, for law enforcement purposes, the entire width between the boundary lines of all private roads or private streets which have been specifically designated highways by an ordinance adopted by the board.

Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three (3) or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.

May. The word "may" is permissive.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing as well as to several persons or things.

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.

Officers, boards, etc. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, department, board, commission or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of Tazewell County, Virginia." A reference to a particular officer shall also be construed as if followed by the words "or his duly authorized representative, deputy or assistant," subject, however, to the provisions of Code of Virginia, § 15.1-19.5.

Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" may extend and be applied to associations, firms, businesses, joint ventures, trusts, partnerships, companies, societies and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

Preceding; following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

Shall. The word "shall" is mandatory.

Signature or subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" means the name of a person written with his own hand, and includes a mark when such person cannot write.

State; Commonwealth. The words "the state," "this state," "the Commonwealth" or "this Commonwealth" shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Swear; sworn. The word "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the word "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

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

Written or in writing. The term "written" or "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

State Law reference— Common law, statutes and rules of construction, Code of Virginia, § 1-10 et seq.; when affirmation may be made, Code of Virginia, § 49-9.

State law reference

Common law, statutes and rules of construction, Code of Virginia, § 1-10 et seq.; when affirmation may be made, Code of Virginia, § 49-9.