§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city commission:
City. The terms "the city" and "this city" mean the City of Rome, Georgia.
Commission. Whenever the term "commission" is used, it is construed to mean the city commission of the City of Rome.
County. The terms "the county" and "this county" mean the County of Floyd, Georgia.
Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only extends and is applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.
Number. Words used in the singular include the plural, and words used in the plural include the singular.
Oath. The word "oath" is 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 terms "swear" and "sworn" are equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."
O.C.G.A. The term "O.C.G.A." means the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as amended.
Officials, etc. Whenever a reference is made to officials, boards, commissions, and departments by title only, i.e., "city manager," "chief of police," etc., it is deemed to refer to the officials, boards, commissions and departments of the city.
Person. The term "person" means companies, firms, partnerships, associations, organizations, bodies politic and corporate, other entities, and any combination thereof, and individuals.
Secretary, secretary of the commission. Whenever the terms "secretary" and "secretary of the commission" are used, they are construed to mean the secretary of the city commission.
Shall, may. The term "shall" is mandatory; the term "may" is permissive.
Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" means a strip of land in front of or on the sides of a building or lot of land lying between the property line and the street.
Signature, subscription. The terms "signature" and "subscription" include a mark when the person cannot write.
State. The terms "the state" and "this state" mean the State of Georgia.
Street. The term "street" is construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the city.
Tense. Terms used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past or present.
Written, in writing. The terms "written" and "in writing" include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
(Code 1959, § 1-2; Code 1981, § 1-1002)
State law reference
Construction of statutes generally, O.C.G.A. § 1-3-1; definitions, O.C.G.A. § 1-3-3.