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Athens City Code

Source snapshot: 2026-09-15. Check the municipal source for later changes. Municipal source ↗ · Download full document · Markdown

Contents1-3 Rules Of Construction

1-3 Rules Of Construction

Original section ↗ · Link to this section

  1. (1) Applicability. These rules of construction shall not apply to any provision of this Code which shall contain any express provision excluding that construction or when the subject matter or context of this Code may be repugnant thereto.
  2. (2) Agent or employee. When the Code requires an act to be done, which act may legally be done by an agent or employee as well as by the principal, such requirement shall be satisfied by the performance of such act by an authorized agent or employee.
  3. (3) Construction of words and phrases. Words and phrases shall be read in context and construed according to the rules of grammar and common usage. Words and phrases that have acquired a technical or particular meaning, whether by legislative or judicial definition or otherwise, shall be construed accordingly.
  4. (4) Delegation of authority. When a provision appears requiring the head of a department or some other city officer to do some act or make certain inspections, it 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 make the required inspection unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.
  5. (5) Illustrations, tables and other graphic representations. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of any section of this Code and any caption, illustration, or table, the text shall control. No caption, illustration, table or other graphic representation shall be construed to limit the scope or intent of the text of any section of this Code.
  6. (6) Joint authority. Words purporting to give joint authority to three or more municipal officers or other persons shall be construed as giving authority to a majority of the officers or persons.
  7. (7) Liberal construction. All general provisions, terms, phrases, and expressions shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the mayor and the city council may be fully carried out.
  8. (8) Minimum requirements. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare.
  9. (9) Officers, departments, etc.; designees. Officers, departments, boards, commissions, committees and employees referred to in this Code shall mean officers, departments, boards, commissions, committees and employees of the city, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  10. (10) References to public offices and officers. Reference to a public office or officer shall be deemed to apply to any office, officer, or employee of the city exercising the powers, duties, or functions contemplated in the provision, irrespective of any transfer of functions or change in the official title of the functionary. The references shall also include the designee or agent of any such officer or office, unless the law or the context clearly requires otherwise.
  11. (11) Principals and agents. When the law requires an act to be done which may by law as well be done by an agent as by the principal, the requirement shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized agent.
  12. (12) Publication edition or version. When in this Code a compilation of law or other publication is referred to, including this Code, or is adopted by reference, the citation shall be deemed to refer to the most current edition or version of such publication, as amended, unless this Code specifically otherwise provides.
  13. (13) Singular and plural; gender; tense and certain conjunctions. As used in this Code, unless the context otherwise requires, the following rules will be followed:
    1. (a) The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
    2. (b) Words of gender include all genders.
    3. (c) Words in the present tense shall include the future.
    4. (d) "And" may be read "or," and "or" may be read "and," if the context requires.
  14. (14) Time. The time within which any act provided by law is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday as defined or fixed in any statute now or hereafter in force in the state, and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday is also a holiday or a Saturday or Sunday, then the succeeding day shall also be excluded.