§ 1-1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

(a)

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Board of Supervisors or the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1)

Agency when used to designate a subordinate element of government shall mean and be construed as including all offices, departments, institutions, boards, commissions, and corporations of the County government and, when so specified, all offices, departments, institutions, boards, commissions, and corporations which receive or disburse County funds.

(2)

Board of Supervisors, the Board, this Board, whenever the words "Board of Supervisors," "this Board" or "the Board" are used, such words shall be construed to mean the governing body of the County of Fairfax, Virginia.

(3)

Computation of time, when a statute requires a notice to be given, or any other act to be done, a certain time before any motion or proceeding, there must be that time, exclusive of the day for such motion or proceeding, but the day on which such notice is given, or such act is done, may be counted as part of the time; but when a statute requires a notice to be given or any other act to be done within a certain time after any event or judgment, that time shall be allowed in addition to the day on which the event or judgment occurred.

(4)

County shall mean and be construed as if the words "of Fairfax, Virginia," followed it.

(5)

Definitions given within a Chapter or Article shall apply only to words or phrases used in such Chapter or Article unless otherwise provided.

(6)

Designee following an official of the County shall mean the authorized agent, employee or representative of such official.

(7)

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 makes.

(8)

May, the word may is permissive and discretionary.

(9)

Month shall mean a calendar month unless otherwise expressed.

(10)

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

(11)

Oath shall mean any form of attestation by which a person signifies that he is bound in conscience to perform an act or to speak faithfully and truthfully and includes an affirmation or declaration in cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

(12)

Ordinances and resolutions shall mean the ordinances and resolutions of the County of Fairfax and all amendments and supplements thereto.

(13)

Person shall mean and extend and be applied to associations, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

(14)

Personal property shall mean any money, goods, movable chattels, things in action, evidence of debt, all objects and rights which are capable of ownership, and every other species of property except real property.

(15)

Public place shall mean and include any public street, road, or highway, alley, lane, sidewalk, crosswalk, or other public way, or any public resort, place of amusement, stadium, athletic field, park, playground, public building or grounds appurtenant thereto, school building or school grounds, public parking lot or any vacant lot, the elevator, lobby, halls, corridors and areas open to the public of any store, office, or apartment building or any other place commonly open to the public.

(16)

Real property shall mean land, together with all things attached to the land so as to become a part thereof.

(17)

Registered mail shall include certified mail with return receipt requested.

(18)

Shall; must, the words shall or must are mandatory.

(19)

Signature and subscription shall mean the name of a person, mark or symbol appended by him to a writing with intent to authenticate the instrument as one made or put into effect by him.

(20)

State shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.

(21)

Words and phrases shall mean and be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases and others that have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law, shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.

(22)

Year shall mean a calendar year unless otherwise expressed. (1954 Code, vol. 1, § 1-5; 1961 Code, § 1-2.)

Footnotes:

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3. For state law as to computation of time, see Va. Code Ann., § 1-13.3. For similar law, see Va. Code Ann., § 1-13.7. For similar state law, see Va. Code Ann., § 4-13.15. For state law definition of "person," see Va. Code Ann., § 1-13.19. For state law definition relative to statutes, see Va. Code Ann., § 1-13.3. For state law definition relative to statutes, see Va. Code Ann., § 13.6.