§ 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 board of aldermen:

Board of aldermen. Whenever the words "board of aldermen" or "board" are used, they shall be construed to mean the board of aldermen of the City of Rayne.

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

Code. Whenever the term "Code" or "this Code" is referred to without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of Ordinances, City of Rayne, Louisiana, as designated in section 1-1.

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 be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall not be counted.

Gender. Words used in one gender apply also to the other genders, except as otherwise clearly indicated by the context.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three 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.

Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.

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. Words used in the singular number include the plural, and the plural 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."

Officers, agencies. Whenever any reference is made to officers, employees, departments, boards, commissions or other agencies by title only, such reference shall be read as though followed by the words "of the City of Rayne, Louisiana."

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.

Parish. The words "the parish" or "this parish" shall mean the Parish of Acadia.

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

Personal property. The words "personal property" shall includes every species of property except real property.

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

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 all beaches, canals or other waterways, and all other places open to the public.

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

Residence. The term "residence" shall be construed to mean the place adopted by a person as his place of habitation, and to which, whenever he is absent, he has intention of returning. When a person eats at one place and sleeps at another, the place where such person sleeps shall be deemed his residence.

R.S. The abbreviation "R.S." shall mean the latest edition of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as amended.

Shall, may. The term "shall" is mandatory; the term "may" is permissive.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean that portion of a highway between the curblines, or the lateral lines of a highway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians.

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

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

Street. The word "street" shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel, including bridges, causeways, tunnels and ferries. The word "street" is synonymous with the word "highway."

Tenant. The words "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.

Week. The word "week" shall be construed to mean seven days.

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.

Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year.

(Code 1958, § 1-2(1), (2), (4)—(30))

State law reference

Interpretation of statutes, R.S. 1:1 et seq.