§ 1-2. Rules of construction and definitions.

In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the rules and definitions set out in this section shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of county commissioners. The rules of construction and definitions in this section do not apply to any section of this Code that contains any express provisions excluding their application, or where the subject matter or context of such section may be repugnant thereto.

Generally. All general provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this Code shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the board of county commissioners may be fully carried out. Terms used in this Code, unless otherwise specifically provided, have the meanings prescribed by the statutes of the state for the same terms.

State Law reference— Construction of statutes, F.S. ch. 1.

This Code is the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of this Code imposes greater restrictions than another provision imposed by the Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation controls.

Board of county commissioners. Board of county commissioners shall mean the board of county commissioners of Santa Rosa County, Florida.

Circuit court. Circuit court shall mean the circuit court of the first judicial circuit in and for Santa Rosa County.

Clerk of the circuit court or county clerk. Clerk of the circuit court or county clerk shall mean the clerk of the circuit court of the first judicial circuit in and for Santa Rosa County.

Code. Code shall mean the Santa Rosa County, Florida Code as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by ordinance, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.

Conjunctions. Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, where a regulation involves two or more items, conditions, provisions or events connected by the conjunctions "and," "or" or "either … or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

(1)

And indicates that all the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events shall apply.

(2)

Or indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events may apply singly or in any combination.

(3)

Either … or indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply singly but not in combination.

County. County shall mean Santa Rosa County, Florida.

County administrator. County administrator shall include designees of the county administrator.

Delegation of authority. A provision requiring the head of a department or some other county officer or employee to do some act or perform some duty is to be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or perform the duty.

F.A.C. F.A.C. shall mean the Florida Administrative Code.

F.S. F.S. shall mean the current edition of the Florida Statutes.

Gender. Words in one gender shall apply to the other gender.

Health department. Health department or county health department shall mean the county public health unit organized pursuant to F.S. § 154.001 et seq.

Includes. Includes does not limit a term to the specified example, but its meaning shall be extended to all other instances or circumstances of like kind or character.

Joint authority. Words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

Keeper, proprietor. Keeper or proprietor shall include any person, firm, association, corporation, club or copartnership, whether acting alone or through a servant, agent or employee.

May. May shall be construed as being permissive.

Month. Month shall mean a calendar month.

Must. Must shall be construed as being mandatory.

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved 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. Words used in the singular number include the plural. Words used in the plural number include the singular.

Oath. Oath shall 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."

Officer, official. Whenever reference is made to any officer or official, the reference shall be taken to be to such officer or official of Santa Rosa County, Florida.

Owner. Owner, as applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person. Person shall extend and be applied to any individual, child, firm, association, joint venture, partnership, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, fiduciary, corporation and all other groups and legal entities or combinations thereof.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 1.01(3).

Property. Property shall include real and personal property.

Shall. Shall shall be construed as being mandatory.

Sidewalk. Sidewalk shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

State. State shall mean the State of Florida.

Street or road. Street or road shall include any street, avenue, boulevard, road, alley, viaduct or other public highway in the county.

Tables, illustrations, etc. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Code and any caption, illustration, summary table or illustrative table, the text shall control.

Tenant or occupant. Tenant or occupant, as applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of or who occupies the whole or part of such building or land, either alone or with others.

Used for. Used for shall include the terms "arranged for," "designed for," "maintained for" or "occupied for."

Week. Week shall mean seven days.

Written or in writing. Written or in writing include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

Year. Year shall mean a calendar year.