§ 1-2. Rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

City. The words "the city" or "this city" shall be construed as if the words "of San Antonio" followed the word city.

City council. The words "city council" or "council" shall be construed to mean the city council of the City of San Antonio.

Computation of time. Except as otherwise provided in this Code, or in applicable statutes of the state, whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done a certain length of time before any proceedings shall be had, the day on which such notice is given or such act is done shall not be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceedings are to be had shall be counted, unless it is a Sunday or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is neither a Sunday nor a legal holiday.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean and refer to Bexar County, Texas.

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 males.

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provisions of this Code, it shall be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of the Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provisions imposed by the Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

Judge. The word "judge" or any like term, shall be construed to mean a judge (or acting judge) of the municipal court of the City of San Antonio.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one (1) person and thing.

Oath. The word "oath" shall be construed to include 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" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and," and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.

Owner. The word "owner," 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 of a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals or groups of individuals.

Personal. property includes every species of property except real property.

Signing. The words "signature" or "subscription" shall include the mark of a person unable to write, witnessed by two (2) witnesses unless otherwise expressly provided.

State. The words "the state" or "this state" shall refer to the State of Texas.

Street. The word "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, drives, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the city.

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

Titles of officials, names of departments. Titles of officials or employees, such as "city manager" or "mayor," and names of departments, such as "police department" or "department of finance" shall be read as if the words "of San Antonio" followed them.

Writing. The words "write" and "written" shall include printing.

(Code 1959, § 1-2)

State law reference

Similar definitions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. arts. 10, 23, 5429b-2.