Interpretation of Words and Terms

Town of Ramseur, NC

Zoning Ordinance

Article II

Interpretation of Words and Terms

2.1Word and Term Interpretations

For the purposes of these regulations, the following rules of construction apply:

(A)Interpretations shall be guided by statements of intent.

(B)The term “this ordinance” shall refer to the Town of Ramseur Zoning Ordinance.

(C)The words “shall,” “must,” and “will” are mandatory, implying an obligation or duty to comply with the particular provision.

(D)The word “may” is permissive, except when the context of the particular use is negative, then it is mandatory (e.g., “may not”).

(E)The word “should,” whether used in the positive or the negative, is a suggested guideline.

(F)References to “days” will always be construed to be business days, excluding weekends and holidays, unless the context of the language clearly indicates otherwise.

(G)The word “person” includes a firm, association, organization, partnership, corporation, trust, and company, as well as an individual.

(H)The word “building” includes the word structure, and the word structure includes the word building.

(I)The words “used” or “occupied” as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied.

(J)The word “street” includes the words road, avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, and any other facility principally designed for motor vehicle traffic, except an alley or an easement solely for utilities or pedestrians.

(K)For purposes of interpreting this ordinance, certain words, concepts, and ideas are defined in Article III.Except as defined herein, all other words used in this ordinance shall have their everyday dictionary definition.

(L)Words used in the present tense include the future tense, and words used in the future tense include the present tense.

(M)Words used in the singular number include the plural, and words used in the plural number include the singular.

(N)The term town board shall mean the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Ramseur, North Carolina.

(O)The term planning board shall mean the Planning Board of the Town of Ramseur, North Carolina.

(P)The term zoning administrator shall mean the Zoning Administrator of theTown of Ramseur, North Carolina.

(Q)The term subdivision administrator shall mean the Subdivision Administrator of the Town of Ramseur, North Carolina.

(R)The term mayor shall mean the Mayor of the Town of Ramseur, North Carolina.

(S)The term board of adjustment shall mean the Board of Adjustment of the Town of Ramseur, North Carolina.

(T)The term state shall mean the State of North Carolina.

(U)Any reference to an article shall mean an article of the Town of Ramseur Zoning Ordinance, unless otherwise specified.

(V)The term zoning map shall mean the official zoning map(s) of Town of Ramseur, North Carolina.

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