§ 1-2. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Code, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Charter. The word "Charter" shall mean the Charter of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, printed as part I, subpart A, of this volume.

City. The word "city" shall be construed as if the words "of Miami Beach" followed it.

City boards, committees, commissions, officers, employees, etc. Whenever reference is made to a board, committee, commission, officer, employee, etc., in this Code, it shall be construed to mean that of the City of Miami Beach, Florida.

Code. The word "Code" shall mean the Code of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, as designated in section 1-1.

Commission, city commission. Whenever the term commission or city commission is used, it shall be construed to mean the city commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida.

Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done, a certain length of time before any proceeding 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 proceeding is to be had shall be counted.

(Code 1964, § 1-2)

State Law reference— Computation of time, Fla. Rules of Civ. Proc., rule 1.090(a).

County. The word "county" shall mean the County of Dade.

State Law reference— Boundaries of Dade County, F.S. § 7.13.

Delegation of authority. Except where otherwise required by the Charter, state law or ordinance, whenever a provision or section appears requiring the head of a department or some other city official, officer or employee to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer or employee to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or perform the duty, unless the terms of the provision or section specify otherwise.

F.S. Whenever the abbreviation "F.S." is used, it shall refer to the official Florida Statutes and the latest amendments and supplements.

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.

Health officer. The term "health officer" or "city health officer" shall mean the director of the Dade County health department.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three 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.

Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one 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."

State Law reference— Oath, F.S. § 876.05.

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and," and "and" may be "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, firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to individuals.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property except real property.

Preceding, following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

Property. The word "property" shall include real and personal property.

Real property. The term "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Signature or subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" includes a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The word "state" shall be construed to mean the State of Florida.

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

Tenant. The word "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of or who occupies, the whole or a part of such building or land, either alone or with others.

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

Written or in writing. The term "written" or "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

(Code 1964, § 1-2)

State law reference

Definitions, F.S. § 1.01.