In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the mayor and board of aldermen:

Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.

City. The words “the city” or “this city” shall mean the City of Frederick, in the County of Frederick and State of Maryland, except as otherwise provided.

Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day; and if the last day be Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.

County. The words “the county” or “this county” shall refer to Frederick County, Maryland.

Gender. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

Keeper and proprietor. The words “keeper” and “proprietor” shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or a servant, agent or employee.

May. The word “may” is permissive.

Mayor and board of aldermen. The words “the mayor and board of aldermen” shall mean the mayor and board of aldermen of the City of Frederick.

Month. The word “month” shall mean a calendar month.

Number. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural includes the singular number.

Oath. The word “oath” shall be construed to include an affirmation or declaration 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.”

Owner. The word “owner,” applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person. The word “person” shall include a corporation, company, partnership, association or society as well as a natural person.

Personal property. Personal property includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debt.

Preceding, following. The words “preceding” and “following” shall mean next before and next after, respectively.

Property. The word “property” shall include real and personal property.

Real property. Real property shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Sidewalk. The word “sidewalk” shall mean that portion of a street between the curb line and the adjacent property intended for the use of pedestrians.

Signature or subscription. Signature or subscription includes a mark when the person cannot write, his name being written near it and witnessed by a person who writes his own name as witness.

State. The words “the state” or “this state” shall be construed to mean the State of Maryland.

Street. The word “street” shall include any public ways, roads, highways, avenues, alleys and lanes within the city.

Tenant, occupant. The words “tenant” and “occupant”, applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

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

Writing. The word “writing” shall include printing.

Year. The word “year” shall mean a calendar year. (Code 1953, § 1.2.)