In the construction of this code and of all ordinances of the county, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the county council or unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

And/Or. The word "and" may be read as "or," and the word "or" may be read as "and," where the sense requires it.

Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.

Computation of Time. The time within an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day, and if the last day is Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded. (For similar state law, S.C. Code 1976, 15-1-20.)

Council; County Council. The words "council" or "county council" mean the council of the county of Colleton, South Carolina.

County. The word "county" means the county of Colleton in the state of South Carolina, unless otherwise provided.

Gender. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter. (For similar state law, See S.C. Code 1976, section 2-7-30.)

Joint Authority. All words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be constructed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

May; Shall. The word "may" is permissive, the word "shall" is mandatory.

Month. The word "month" means a calendar month.

Number. Words used in the singular number include the plural, and the plural includes the singular number. (For similar state law, see S.C. Code 1976, Section 2-7-30.)

Oath; Swear; Sworn. The word "oath" shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an other, and in such cases the words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and affirmed."

Official Time Standard. Whenever certain hours are used, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the county.

Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or land, 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. The word "person" includes a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual. (For similar state law, see S.C. Code 1976, Section 2-7-30.)

Personal Property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property except real property, as defined in this section. (For state law definition of "personal property," see S.C. Code 1976, Section 15-1-40.)

Preceding; Following. The words "pre-ceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

Property. The word "property" includes real and personal property. (For similar state law, see S.C. Code 1976, Section 15-1-50.)

Real Property and Real Estate. The terms "real property" and "real estate" include lands, tenements and hereditaments. (For similar state law, see S.C. Code 1976, Section 15-1-30.)

Road, Highway. The words "road" and "highway" have the same meaning as the word "street," as such word is defined in this section.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" means any portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

Signature or Subscription. The words "signature" or "subscription" include a mark when a person cannot write.

State. The word "state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the state of South Carolina.

Street. The word "street" means and includes avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares within the county, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. It shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the county council.

Tenant or Occupant. The words "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present. (For state law as to tense, see S.C. Code 1976, Section 2-7-30.)

Writing. The words "writing" or "written" include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.

Year. The word "year" means a calendar year. (Ord. 94-O-15 § 1.2, 1994)