§ 25-21. Rules of construction.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and phrases shall be construed throughout this chapter to have the meanings herein indicated:

(1)

Words used in the present tense include the future.

(2)

The singular includes the plural, and the plural, the singular, words of masculine gender will include the feminine and the neuter will refer to any gender as required, unless the context plainly indicates the contrary.

(3)

The word "person" includes a corporation, partnership (general, limited, limited liability), limited liability company, association, or individual.

(4)

The word "shall" is always mandatory and the word "may" is permissive.

(5)

The word "lot" includes the words "parcel," "tract," or "plot."

(6)

The words "used" or "occupied," as applied to any land or building, shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied."

(7)

The word "city" means the City of Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland; the terms "council," "zoning board," and "planning commission" mean, respectively, the mayor and city council, the zoning board of appeals, and the municipal planning and zoning commission of the city. Zoning administrator, department of community development, and department of community development staff shall be considered synonymous.

(8)

The particular will control the general.

(9)

A building or structure includes any part thereof.

(10)

The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for", "designed for", "intended for", "maintained for", or "occupied for".

(11)

Unless it is plainly evident from the context that a different meaning is intended, a regulation which involves two (2) or more items, conditions, provisions, or events connected by the conjunction and, or, or either/or, the use of the conjunction is defined as follows:

a.

"And" means that all the connected items, conditions, provisions and events apply together and not separately.

b.

"Or" means that the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events apply separately or in any combination.

c.

"Either/or" means that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply separately but not in combination.

(12)

When a term defined in the city subdivision regulations or the city building code occurs in this chapter, it has the meanings and definition specified in the subdivision regulations or building code, unless specifically defined in these regulations.

(13)

Ordinance means the city zoning ordinance and all amendments and revisions thereto, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(14)

Throughout the chapter, all words, other than the terms specifically defined above and below, have the meaning inferred from their context in this chapter or the ordinarily accepted definitions as defined in the current edition of Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.