Bell Municipal Code Ch. 1.04 General Provisions

Unless the context clearly otherwise requires, the rules of construction and definitions set forth in this section shall govern the construction of this code.

Cash Deposits.

Wherever this code requires a cash deposit for any purpose, a valid and sufficient corporate surety bond may be deposited in lieu thereof, if approved by the chief administrative officer.

"City"

means the City of Bell.

"Chief administrative officer"

means the duly appointed and acting chief administrative officer of the City of Bell.

"Code"

means the Bell Municipal Code.

"Council"

means the city council of the City of Bell.

"County"

means the County of Los Angeles.

"Director"

means the director of community development.

"Fire chief"

means the fire chief of the city or his or her authorized deputy. Gender. The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

"Oath"

means and includes an affirmation.

Office.

The use of the title of any officer or employee of the city means the then holder of such office.

"Owner"

as applied to a building, and/or personal property, means any part owner, joint owner, tenant, of the whole or a part thereof.

"Person"

as used in this code or in any uniform code adopted hereby, includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust company or corporation, and any municipal, political or governmental corporation, district, body or agency, other than the city.

"Police chief"

means the police chief of the city or his or her authorized deputy.

Shall and May.

"Shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive.

"State"

means the State of California.

"Tenant" or "occupant,"

as applied to a building or land, means and includes any person who occupies the whole or part of such building or land, whether alone or with others, or a person who is entitled to such occupancy.

Time.

Whenever an act is required to be accomplished within a specified number of days or months, pursuant to this code, such time period shall be consecutive calendar days or months, unless otherwise expressly stated.

(Prior code §§ 1200, 1208)

Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required or authorized by this code it shall be made in writing in the English language unless it is expressly provided in this code to the contrary.

(Prior code § 1205)

Wherever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon, a public officer or employee, the power may be exercised, or the duty may be performed by a deputy of such officer or employee or by a person otherwise duly authorized pursuant to law or ordinance, unless this code expressly provides otherwise.

(Prior code § 1204)

Whenever in this code any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall also be unlawful to cause, permit, aid, abet, suffer or conceal such act or omission.

(Prior code § 1203)

This code shall refer only to the omission or commission of acts within the territorial limits of the city and to that territory outside of the city over which the city has jurisdiction or control by virtue of the Constitution, or any law, or by reason of ownership or control of property.

(Prior code § 1202)

The provisions of this code and all proceedings under it are to be construed with a view to effectuate its objects and to promote justice.

(Prior code § 1200)

Whenever written notice is required to be given under this code, unless a contrary provision is specifically made, such notice shall be given:

A. By personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified; or

B. By deposit in the United States Postal Service, in a sealed envelope, or postal card, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified, at his or her last known business or residence address as the same appears in the public records of the city or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed. Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit thereof in the postal service, or at the time of personal service.

(Prior code § 1207)

Any person holding any position of employment with the city as of the effective date of this chapter, shall maintain and carry forward such status; however, each such position, shall, after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, be subject, in all respects, to the provisions of this code.

(Prior code § 1004)

Not less than three copies of this code shall be filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the city clerk. Additional copies shall be prepared in loose-leaf form and shall be mounted to withstand heavy usage, in a manner to be prescribed by the chief administrative officer. Copies hereof shall be distributed as directed by the chief administrative officer.

(Prior code § 1006)

Certified copies of each ordinance changing any provision of this code shall be maintained on file in the office of the city clerk, duly indexed for ready reference.

(Prior code § 1007)

Whenever the posting of notices and ordinances is required by applicable law, the following locations are designated for the purpose of such postings:

A. The bulletin board located inside the United States Post Office located at 6327 Otis Avenue; and

B. The bulletin board at Veterans Park located at 6526 Wilcox Avenue and visibly accessible to the public; and

C. The bulletin board located inside the main entrance at the Community Center of Bell, 6250 Pine Avenue.

(Prior code § 2006)

Whenever in this code reference is made to the title "chief administrator" the provision of the code shall be deemed amended by striking the title and inserting in its place and stead the following: "chief administrative officer."

(Prior code § 1209)