RULES OF INTERPRETATION

200 RULES OF INTERPRETATION The terms in the text of this Ordinance shall be interpreted in accordance with the following rules of construction: a. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

• b. The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future tense includes the present.

• c. The word “must,” “shall,” or “will” is mandatory, while the word “may” is permissive.

• d. The terms “must not,” “shall not,” “will not,” and “may not” are prohibiting.

• e. The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

• f. Whenever a defined word or term appears in the text of this Ordinance, its meaning shall be construed as set forth in the definition. Words not defined shall be interpreted in a manner that accomplishes the intent of this ordinance.

• g. The following abbreviations are used within this Ordinance: i. "GFA" is an abbreviation for “gross floor area.”

• ii. “ft” is an abbreviation for “feet.”

• iii. “N/A” is an abbreviation for “not applicable.”

• iv. "sf" is an abbreviation for “square feet.”

• v. "SF" is an abbreviation for “single-family.”

• vi. "2F" is an abbreviation for “two-family.”

• vii. "3F" is an abbreviation for “three-family.”

• viii. "RH" is an abbreviation for “rowhouse.”

• ix. "MF" is an abbreviation for “multi-family.”

• h. Dimensional regulations include all regulations of the Ordinance, other than those pertaining to the permitted uses, pursuant to § 45-24-31(55)(ii) of the General Laws.

• i. The captions and section headings contained in this Ordinance are included for convenience of reference and are not intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Ordinance.