§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

City. The word "city" shall mean the City of Sunrise, Florida and shall extend to and include its officers, agents, and employees.

City boards, committees, commissions, officers and departments. Whenever reference is made to a board, committee, commission, officer or a department, the same shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the City of Sunrise, Florida."

City clerk. The words "city clerk" shall mean the City Clerk of the City of Sunrise.

City commission. Whenever the words "city commission" or "commissioner" are used, they shall mean the City Commission of the City of Sunrise.

County. The word "county" shall mean the County of Broward.

County clerk, property appraiser, sheriff or tax collector. The words "county clerk," "property appraiser," "sheriff" or "tax collector" shall mean such officers of Broward County.

Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or an 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 not be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall be counted, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven (7) days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 1.090(a).

F.S. The abbreviation "F.S." shall mean the latest edition or supplement of the Florida Statutes.

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.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

Keeper and proprietor. The words "keeper" and "proprietor" shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or a servant, agent or employee.

Mayor. Whenever the word "mayor" is used, it shall be construed to mean the mayor of the City of Sunrise.

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one (1) person and thing; a word importing the plural number includes the singular.

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."

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

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 of a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships, and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

State. The word "state" shall be construed to mean the State of Florida.

Tenant or occupant. The word "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease or who occupies the whole or a part of such buildings or land, either alone or with others.

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

(Code 1972, § 1-1)