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 Alexandria
 Code of Ordinances
 Title 1. General Provisions
 Chapter 1. Use and Introduction

  § 1-1-5. Rules of construction and definitions.  

Latest version.

  • In the interpretation and construction of this code and of all ordinances and resolutions of the city, the following rules of construction and definitions shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the council or the context clearly requires otherwise.

    (1)

    Charter. The word "Charter" shall mean the Alexandria Charter of 1950, as amended from time to time.

    (2)

    City. The word "city" shall be construed as if the words "of Alexandria" followed it.

    (3)

    Computation of time.

    (a)(i)

    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.

    (ii)

    Whenever a notice is required to be given, or an act to be done, within a certain period of time after a decision or event, the day on which the decision or event occurs shall not be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such notice or act is required to be given or done shall be counted in computing the time.

    (b)

    Except as may otherwise be expressly provided by law, when the last day fixed by any provision of this code or by administrative regulation for the commencement of any proceeding, for a paper to be served, delivered, filed or recorded, or for any other act to be done, in connection with any regulatory proceeding before any city officer, board, commission or agency, or before the city council, falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday observed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any other day on which the city manager authorizes the closing of city offices, the proceeding may be commenced, the paper may be served, delivered, filed or recorded, or the act may be done on the next succeeding day that it is not a Saturday, Sunday, or such legal holiday or other day on which city offices are closed.

    (4)

    Council, city council. Wherever the words "council" or "city council" are used, they shall be construed to mean "the council of the City of Alexandria."

    (5)

    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.

    (5.1)

    Newspaper of general circulation published in the city. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the phrase "newspaper of general circulation published in the city" or words of like import shall be construed to include a newspaper of general circulation in the city, whether or not published in the city.

    (6)

    Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.

    (7)

    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.

    (8)

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

    (9)

    Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

    (10)

    Preceding, following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

    (11)

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

    (12)

    State. The word "state" shall be construed as if the words "of Virginia" followed it.

    (13)

    Street. The word "street" shall include avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the city 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 council.

    (14)

    Swear, sworn. The words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed" in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be submitted for an oath. (Code 1963, Sec. 1-5; Ord. No. 3310, 6/18/88, Sec. 1; Ord. No. 3339, 11/19/88, Sec. 1; Ord. No. 3484, 11/17/90, Sec. 1)