§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all other city ordinances, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:

And, or. The word "and" may be read as "or" and the word "or" may be read as "and" where the sense requires it.

City. The words "the city" or "this city" shall mean the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Code. The words "Code" or "this Code" shall mean and refer to the Code of Ordinances, City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Code the day of the act, event, or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or a state or federal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday, nor such holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and holidays shall be excluded in the computation. A half holiday shall be considered as other days and not as a holiday.

Council or city council. The words "the council" or "the city council" shall mean the city council of the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Horry, South Carolina.

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.

Number. Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural includes the singular number.

Oath; swear; sworn. 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."

Officers and officials of city. Whenever reference is made to officials, boards, commissions, departments, etc., by title only, i.e., "city clerk," "chief of police," etc., they shall be deemed to refer to the officials, boards, commissions and departments of the City of Myrtle Beach.

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 a part of such building or land.

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

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debt.

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

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

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

Roadway. The word "roadway" shall mean that portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" means a strip of land in front or on the sides of a house or lot of land lying between the property line and the roadway.

Signature or subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" includes a mark when the person cannot write.

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

Street. The word "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the city. A street shall include all of the land within a dedicated right-of-way, whether improved or unimproved, and may be comprised of pavement, shoulders, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking areas, and other areas within the right-of-way.

Cross reference— Definition of "street or highway," § 12-2.

Tenant or occupant. The word "tenant" or "occupant" applied to a building or land shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of the building or land, whether alone or with others.

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

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

(Code 1980, § 1-3-42)