§ 1-2. Rules of construction and definitions.

Unless otherwise provided in the Code, 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.

Board of county commissioners. The term "board of county commissioners" means the board of county commissioners of Okeechobee County, Florida.

Circuit court. The term "circuit court" shall mean the circuit court of the 19th judicial circuit in and for Okeechobee County, Florida.

State Law reference— Judicial circuits, F.S. § 26.021(19).

Clerk of the circuit court or county clerk. The terms "clerk of the circuit court," "county clerk" or "clerk" means the clerk of the circuit court of the 19th judicial circuit in and for Okeechobee County, Florida.

State Law reference— Clerks of the circuit courts, F.S. ch. 28.

Code. The term "Code" means the Code of Ordinances of Okeechobee County, Florida, 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.

State Law reference— Computation of time, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 1.090(a).

County. The term "county" means Okeechobee County, Florida.

State Law reference— Boundaries of Okeechobee County, F.S. § 7.47.

County administrator. The term "county administrator" means the county administrator of Okeechobee County or any designees of the county administrator.

Delegation of authority. A provision requiring the head of a department or other county officer or employee to do an act or perform a 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, unless otherwise prohibited by law or this Code.

F.A.C. The abbreviation "F.A.C." means the Florida Administrative Code.

F.S. The abbreviation "F.S." means the current edition or supplement of the Florida Statutes.

Gender. A word importing the masculine gender shall extend and be applied to the feminine gender and to firms, partnerships and corporations, as well as to the masculine gender.

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

Keeper, proprietor. The terms "keeper" or "proprietor" includes any person, firm, association, corporation, club or copartnership, whether acting alone or through a servant, agent or employee.

May. The word "may" is to be construed as being permissive.

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

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases are to 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 are to 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. The term "oath" includes 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" are equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."

Officer, official, board, committee, commission. Whenever reference is made to any board, committee, commission, officer or official, the reference shall be to such board, committee, commission, officer or official of Okeechobee County, Florida.

Or, and. 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.

Owner. The term "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. The term "person" includes 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. The term "property" includes real and personal property.

Property appraiser. The term "property appraiser" means the county property appraiser.

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

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

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 controls.

Tax collector. The term "tax collector" means the county tax collector.

Tenant or occupant. The terms "tenant" or "occupant," as applied to a building or land, includes 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.

Tense. Words used in the present or past tense include the future, as well as the present and past.

Week. The term "week" means seven days.

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

Year. The term "year" means a calendar year.

State law reference

Definitions of terms used in Florida Statutes, F.S. § 1.01.