§ 100.080. Definitions and Rules of Construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the City, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless it shall be otherwise expressly provided in any Section or ordinance, or unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the City Council, or unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

CHARTER

Refers to the Charter of University City, Missouri, adopted by the people at a special election held on February 4, 1947, and the amendments thereto.

CITY

The words "the City" or "this City" mean the City of University City, Missouri.

CITY COUNCIL

The words "City Council" or "the Council" mean the City Council of University City.

COMPUTATION OF TIME

The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first (1st) and including the last day; and if the last day is Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

COUNTY

The County of St. Louis.

GENDER

When any subject matter, party or person is described or referred to by words importing the masculine, females as well as males, and associations and bodies corporate as well as individuals, shall be deemed to be included.

JOINT AUTHORITY

Words importing joint authority to three (3) or more persons shall be construed as authority to a majority of such persons.

MONTH

A calendar month.

NUMBER

When any subject matter, party or person is described or referred to by words importing the singular number, the plural and separate matters and persons and bodies corporate shall be deemed to be included.

OATH

Includes 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".

OWNER

Applied to a building or land, means and includes 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

Includes a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit as well as individuals. It shall also include an executor, administrator, trustee, receiver or other representative appointed according to law. Whenever the word "person" is used in any Section of this Code prescribing a penalty or fine, as to partnerships or associations, the word shall include the partners or members thereof, and as to corporations, shall include the officers, agents or members thereof who are responsible for any violation of such Section.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Includes goods, chattels and all personal property, except intangible personal property.

PRECEDING, FOLLOWING

When used by way of reference to any Section of this Code, means the Section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other Section is expressly designated in the reference.

PROPERTY

Includes real and personal property.

REAL PROPERTY

The terms "real property", "premises", "real estate" or "lands" shall be deemed to be co-extensive with lands, tenements and hereditaments.

SIDEWALK

The portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

SIGNATURE

Where the written signature of any person is required, the proper handwriting of such person or the person's mark shall be intended.

STATE

The words "the State" or "this State" means the State of Missouri.

STREET

Includes any public way, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, alley or other public thoroughfare, and each of such words shall include all of them.

TENANT, OCCUPANT

Applied to a building or land includes any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

WRITTEN, IN WRITING, AND WRITING WORD FOR WORD

Includes printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters, but in all cases where the signature of any person is required, the proper handwriting of the person, or his/her mark, is intended.

YEAR

A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed, and the word "year" shall be equivalent to the words "year of our Lord".

All general provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this Code shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the City Council may be fully carried out.

R.O. 2011 §1.04.020; Code 1950 §401.3; Prior Code §1-2