Swanton City Zoning Code
§ 150.114
RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
(A) Minimum Requirements. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Zoning Code, such provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements of the promotion of public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare and to accomplish the objectives set forth throughout this code. Except as specifically provided herein, it is not intended by the Zoning Code to repeal, abrogate or annul any existing provision of any law or ordinance or any rule or regulation previously adopted or issued pursuant to law relating to the use of structures and land and the design, erection, alteration or maintenance of structure thereon.
(B) Conflicts or Inconsistency. Unless otherwise specifically stated within this Zoning Code, and unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, if two or more provisions of this Zoning Code are in conflict or are inconsistent with each other, then the most restrictive provision shall apply.
(C) Text to Govern. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Zoning Code and any caption, illustration, figure, or illustrative table, the text shall control.
(D) Illustrations. All illustrations in this Zoning Code are intended to help the reader understand terminology and concepts used in this Zoning Code, unless otherwise indicated. Illustrations are not drawn to scale and are not to be interpreted as examples of character or design that must be matched.
(E) Time Frames. Any time frames stated within this Zoning Code shall be calculated to include weekdays, weekends, and holidays, unless stated otherwise. If a time frame ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday on which the city offices are closed, the time frame will be extended to the end of the next business day unless specifically stated otherwise within this Zoning Code.
(F) Delegation of Authority. If a provision in this Zoning Code requires the Zoning Administrator or other village official to perform an act or duty, such provision shall also include designated subordinates unless specified otherwise.
(G) Fractions. Where application of a numerical standard results in a fraction, the fraction shall be rounded as follows:
(1) Where the standard is a minimum requirement, the fraction shall be rounded up the nearest whole number; and
(2) Where the standard is a maximum allowed or permitted under this Zoning Code, the fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
(H) Defined Terms. Terms used in this Zoning Code are generally used in their ordinary English usage. Certain terms are, however, specifically defined in Article 150.90 and whenever used in this Zoning Code, they shall have the meaning as set forth in Article 150.90, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
(I) Rules of Word Usage. The following rules of word usage apply to the text of this Zoning Code:
(1) The particular shall control the general.
(2) The words “shall” and “must” are always mandatory and not discretionary. The words “may” and “should” are permissive.
(3) Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, words used in a specific tense (past, present or future) shall be construed to include all tenses, and words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular.
(4) A “structure” includes a “building” and any part thereof unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(5) 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) “And” indicates that all the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply.
(b) “Or” indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events may apply singly or in any combination.
(c) “Either...or” indicates that the connected items, conditions, provision, or events shall apply singly but not in combination.
(6) The word “includes” shall not limit a term to the specified examples but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances or circumstances of like kind or character.
(7) Terms not defined herein or in Article 150.90 shall have the meanings customarily assigned to them in common, ordinary usage, except that legal or technical terms shall be interpreted in their legal or technical sense.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)