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North Kingstown
Town of North Kingstown Zoning Ordinance
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§ 21-502

Rules of construction

  • (a) This article shall be liberally construed so as to effectively carry out its purpose in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare.

  • (b) For the purposes of administration and enforcement, unless otherwise stated in this article, the following rules of construction shall apply to the text of this article:

    • (1) If there is any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this article and any caption, illustration, summary table or illustrative table, the text shall control.

    • (2) The word "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary; the word "may" is permissive.

    • (3) Words used in the present tense shall include the future; and words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

    • (4) The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "maintained for" or "occupied for."

    • (5) The word "person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an incorporated association or any other similar entity.

    • (6) Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, where a regulation involves two or more items, conditions, provisions or events connected by the conjunction "and," "or," or "either/or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

      • a. The term "and" indicates that all the connected terms, conditions, provisions or events may apply singly or in any combination.

      • b. The term "or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events may apply singly or in any combination.

      • c. The term "either/or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply singly but not in any combination.

    • (7) The word "includes" shall not limit a term to the specific example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances or circumstances of like kind or character.

    • (8) The word "town manager" means the town manager or the municipal officials the town manager may designate to carry out the administration of this article. Any municipal official so designated shall be approved by the town council before exercising duties under this article.

(Ord. No. 97-13, § 1, 8-18-1997)