§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances the following rules shall be observed and the following definitions shall apply unless the content clearly indicates otherwise:

Charter. The word "Charter" shall mean the Charter Laws of the city as printed in Part I of this volume.

City. The words "the city" or "this city" shall be construed as if the words "of Gainesville, Florida," followed them.

Code. The words "this Code" or "the Code" shall mean "The Code of Ordinances, City of Gainesville, Florida," as cited in section 1-1.

Commission. The words "the commission" shall be construed to mean the city commission of the City of Gainesville.

Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Code, by order of court or by any applicable ordinance, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included 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 nor 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.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Alachua.

State Law reference— Boundaries of Alachua County, F.S. § 7.01.

F.S., Fla. Stats. or Florida Statutes. The terms "F.S.", "Fla. Stats." or "Florida Statutes" shall mean the official statutes of the State of Florida as adopted and amended by the Florida Legislature.

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 person 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.

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.

Officer, department, board, commission or other agency. Whenever any officer, department, board, commission or other agency is referred to by title only, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the City of Gainesville, Florida." Such reference shall include any authorized subordinate or designee.

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 the building or land.

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

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property except real property, as herein defined.

Property. The word "property" shall include real and personal property.

Public place. The term "public place" shall mean any park, cemetery, school yard or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.

Real property. The term "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

State. The words "the state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the State of Florida.

State law or general law. The term "state law" and "general law" shall refer to the Florida Statutes and Session Laws of the State of Florida.

Street. The word "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the city.

Street line. The words "street line" shall mean that line which delineates the right-of-way of any street and is identical to the property line of persons owning property fronting on a street.

Tenant. The word "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of or who occupies the whole or a part of such building 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 1960, § 1-2)

State law reference

Construction of statutes, F.S. § 1.01 et seq.