§ 1-2. Definitions and interpretations.

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 council.

City. The words "the city" or "this city" shall be construed as if the words "of Columbus, Mississippi" followed it.

City council, council. The words "city council" or "council" as used in this Code shall mean the city council of the City of Columbus, Mississippi, and shall include the mayor when he is authorized to cast his vote upon matters before the council.

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

Corporate limits, corporation limits, city limits. Whenever the words "corporate limits," "corporation limits," or "city limits" are used, they shall mean the legal boundary of the City of Columbus, Mississippi.

Councilman. Whenever the word "councilman" or "councilmen" shall be used in this Code, it shall mean a member of the city council.

County. Whenever the words "the county" or "this county" are used, they shall mean the County of Lowndes, Mississippi.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring or authorizing the head of a department or agency of the city to do some act or make certain inspections, it shall be construed as authorizing the head of the department or agency to authorize one or more of his subordinates to perform the act or make the inspection unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.

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.

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of the Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provision imposed by the Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

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.

Law. The term "law," when used in any ordinance, shall include any provision of the Constitution of the United States, or the state, and any statute of the United States or the state, and any ordinance, or where applicable any resolution or order, of the city council.

Month. Whenever the word "month" is used, it shall mean a calendar month.

Name of officer. Whenever the name of an officer is given, it shall be construed as though the words "of the City of Columbus" followed it.

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 only, either as descriptive of persons or things, shall extend to and embrace the plural number; and words used in the plural number shall extend to and embrace the singular number.

Oath. The word "oath" shall include the word "affirmation" in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

Offense. The term "offense" shall mean any violation of law liable to punishment by criminal prosecution.

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and," and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.

Owner. Whenever the word "owner" is applied to a building or land, it shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety or lessee or assignee of such lessee under a lease of not less than 99 years, of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Parties to offenses. For the purposes of this Code of Ordinances, any person who shall procure, solicit or cause any act to be done, which act is declared by this Code to be unlawful or an offense, shall be deemed guilty of committing such unlawful act or offense and shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

Person. Whenever the word "person" is used in this Code of Ordinances, it shall include, mean and be applied to any natural individual, firm, partnership, association, joint stock company, joint adventure, public or private corporation, governmental subdivision, or to a receiver, executor, trustee, conservator or other representative appointed by order of any court or in any other manner, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.

Personal property. The term "personal property" shall include goods, chattels, effects, evidences of rights of action, and all written instruments by which any obligation or any right, title or interest in any real or personal estate shall be created, acknowledged, transferred, incurred, defeated, discharged or diminished.

Preceding, following. Whenever the words "preceding" and "following" are used, they shall mean next before and next after, respectively.

Premises. Whenever the word "premises" is used, it shall mean place or places.

Property. The term "property" includes personal property as defined herein and also every estate, interest or right in lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Real property shall include every estate, interest or right, in lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Residence. Whenever the word "residence" is used, it shall mean the place adopted by a person as his place of habitation, and to which, whenever he is absent, he has the 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.

Seal. Whenever the word "seal" is used, it shall mean the city or corporate seal.

Sidewalk. Whenever the word "sidewalk" is used, it shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

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

State. Whenever the words "the state" or "this state" are used, they shall mean the State of Mississippi.

Street. Whenever the word "street" is used, it shall mean any public street, avenue, boulevard, road, alley, lane, viaduct or highway in the city; and, where appropriate to the context, the word street shall also be construed to include parking lots owned by the city.

Sworn. The term "sworn" shall include the word "affirmed," in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

Tenant, occupant. Whenever the word "tenant" or "occupant" is applied to a building or land, it 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. Whenever the word "week" is used, it shall mean seven days.

Written or in writing may include printing, engraving, lithographing or any other representation of words, letters or figures; except that in all cases where the signature of any person is required, it shall always be the proper handwriting or mark of such person.

Year. Whenever the word "year" is used, it shall mean a calendar year, or a period of 12 successive calendar months, whichever is applicable.

State law reference

Definitions of terms in statutes, Miss. Code Ann. 1942, §§ 673—708.