§ 1-2. 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 council:

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

City council. The words "city council" shall mean the commissioners elected by districts of the City of Hammond, Louisiana.

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. A word importing one gender only shall extend and be applied to other genders and to firms, partnerships, and corporations as well.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

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

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and accepted 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. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and thing.

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, boards, commissions. Whenever reference is made to officers, boards or commissions by title only, such as "mayor," "councilmen," "planning commission," etc., said references shall be read as though followed by the words "of the City of Hammond, Louisiana."

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

Parish. The words "the parish" or "this parish" shall mean the Parish of Tangipahoa, Louisiana.

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

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 means any area generally visible to public view and includes but is not limited to streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots, transit stations, shelters, automobiles, and buildings, including those which serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.

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 Louisiana.

Street. The word "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, and all other public highways in the city.

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 (7) days.

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

(Ord. No. 2683, C.S., § 1, 5-2-00)