§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

The following rules or meanings shall be applied in the construction and interpretation of ordinances codified in this Code of Ordinances unless such application would be clearly inconsistent with the plain meaning or intent of the ordinances:

Acts by agents. When an ordinance requires an act be done by a person which may be legally performed by an authorized agent of that principal person, the requirement shall be construed to include all acts performed by such agents.

State Law reference— Similar provision, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(9).

Board or village board. The term "board" or "village board" means the village board of the Village of Minong, Wisconsin.

Code and Code of Ordinances. The terms "Code," "Code of Ordinances" and "Municipal Code" when used in any section of this Code shall refer to this Code of Ordinances, Village of Minong, Wisconsin unless the context of the section clearly indicates otherwise.

Computation of time. All periods of time shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of Wis. Stats. § 990.001(4).

Conjunctions. In a provision involving two or more items, conditions, provisions or events, which items, conditions, provisions or events are connected by the conjunction "and," "or" or "either . . . or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3)

"Either . . . or" indicates that the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events apply singly but not in combination.

County. The term "county" means Washburn County, Wisconsin.

Delegation of authority. A provision that authorizes or requires a village officer or village employee to perform an act or make a decision authorizes such officer or employee to act or make a decision through subordinates.

Fine. The term "fine" shall be the equivalent of the term "forfeiture," and vice versa.

Gender. Use has been made of masculine pronouns in this Code solely for the sake of brevity. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, words in this Code referring to the masculine gender shall also be construed to apply to females, and vice versa.

State Law reference— Similar provision, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(2).

General rule. All words and phrases shall be construed according to their plain meaning in common usage. However, words or phrases with a technical or special meaning shall be understood and construed according to that technical or special meaning if such is the intent of the ordinances from which it is derived.

Joint authority. All words purporting to give a joint authority to three or more village officers or employees shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.

State Law reference— Similar provision, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(8).

May. The term "may" is to be construed as being permissive and not mandatory.

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

Oath. The term "oath" includes an affirmation in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.

Officers, officials, departments, etc. References to officers, departments, boards, commissions or employees are to village officers, village departments, village boards, village commissions and village employees.

Owner. The term "owner," as applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or part of such property.

Person. The term "person" means any of the following entities: natural persons, corporations, partnerships, associations, bodies politic, or any receiver, trustee, assignee, agent, or other legal representative of any of the foregoing or any other entity of any kind which is capable of being sued.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, evidences of debt and energy.

Premises. The term "premises," as applied to real property, includes lands and structures.

Property. The term "property" includes real and personal property.

Real estate or real property. The term "real estate" or "real property" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments and all rights thereto and interests therein.

Shall. The term "shall" is to be construed as being mandatory.

Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" means that portion of the street between the curbline and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

Signature or subscription by mark. If the signature of any person is required, it shall always be the handwriting of such person or if he is unable to write, his mark or his name written by some person at his request and in his presence.

Singular and plural. Every word in these ordinances referring to the singular number only shall also be construed to apply to several persons or things, and every word in this Code referring to a plural number shall also be construed to apply to one person or thing.

State Law reference— Similar provision, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(1).

State. The term "state" means the State of Wisconsin.

Street. The term "street" includes any public way, road, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, bridge, viaduct, trestle and the approaches to any bridge, viaduct or trestle within the village.

Tenant or occupant. The term "tenant" or "occupant," as applied to premises, includes any person holding a written or oral lease, or who actually occupies the whole or any part of such premises alone or with others.

Tense. The use of any verb in the present tense shall not preclude the interpretation of the verb in the future tense where appropriate.

State Law reference— Similar provision, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(3).

Week. The term "week" means seven consecutive days.

Wisconsin Administrative Code. The term "Wisconsin Administrative Code" and its abbreviation as "Wis. Admin. Code" means the Wisconsin Administrative Code as of the adoption of this Code, as amended or renumbered from time to time.

Wisconsin Statutes. The term "Wisconsin Statutes" and its abbreviation as "Wis. Stats." means the Wisconsin Statutes for the year 1987-88, as amended from time to time.

Village. The term "village" means the Village of Minong, Washburn County, Wisconsin.

(Code 1990, § 1-1-2)

State law reference

Construction of statutes generally, Wis. Stats. § 990.01 et seq.