San Mateo County Municipal Code Ch. 1.16 Rules of Construction

Unless the provisions of the context otherwise require, these general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions shall govern the construction of this code. The provisions of this code and all proceedings under it are to be construed with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.

(Prior code § 1301; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

Division, part, chapter, article and section headings contain herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any division, part, chapter, article or section hereof.

(Prior code § 1302; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

Whenever in this code, any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, suffering or concealing the fact of such act or omission.

(Prior code § 1303; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

Whenever 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 § 1304; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

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 otherwise.

(Prior code § 1305; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

Whenever a reference is made to any portion of this code, or to any ordinance of this County, the reference applies to all amendments and additions now or hereafter made.

(Prior code § 1306; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

When used in this code, present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present.

(Prior code § 1307; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

When used in this code, the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

(Prior code § 1308; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

When used in this code, the singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

(Prior code § 1309; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)

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

(Prior code § 1310; Ord. 1186, 10/23/56)