Rules of construction.
Burlington Code of Ordinances § 1-2
in effect1-2 Rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:
Aldermen. The word "aldermen" shall mean the board of aldermen of the City of Burlington (as defined in Section 36 of the City Charter) which, after May 11, 1990, is known as the city council (see "city council").
City. Whenever the word "city" is used it shall mean the City of Burlington, Vermont.
City council. The words "city council" shall mean:
(1) Before May 11, 1990, the legislative body of the city; the board of aldermen acting with the concurrence of the mayor;
(2) After May 11, 1990, the body formerly called the board of aldermen (see "aldermen").
City council with mayor presiding. After May 11, 1990, the "city council," when it sits with the mayor presiding and voting, is known as the "city council with mayor presiding."
Computation of time. When time is to be reckoned from a day, date, or an act done, such day, date, or day when such act is done shall not be included in the computation unless otherwise provided.
Corporate limits, corporation limits, city limits. Whenever the words "corporate limits," "corporation limits" or "city limits" are used, they shall mean the legal boundary of the City of Burlington.
Council. The word "council" shall mean the city council of the City of Burlington.
County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Chittenden in the State of Vermont.
Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department of the city to do some act or make certain inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the head of the department to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or make the required inspection unless the terms of the provision or section specifically designate otherwise.
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.
Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of this Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provisions imposed by this Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.
Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers, except as otherwise provided in this Code, the rules and regulations of the city council or the City Charter.
Keeper, proprietor. The words "keeper" and "proprietor" shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and partnerships, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.
Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
Name of officer. Whenever the name of an officer is given, it shall be construed as though the words "of the City of Burlington" were added.
Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.
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, and words importing the plural number may be applied as if singular.
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."
Or, and. "Or" may be read "and," and "and" may be read "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, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.
Personal property. The words "personal property" shall include every species of property except real property, as herein described.
Preceding, following. The words "preceding" and "following" shall mean next before and next after, respectively.
Premises. Whenever the word "premises" is used, it shall mean place or places.
Property. The word "property" shall include real and personal property.
Public place. The words "public place" shall mean any park, cemetery, school yard or open space adjacent thereto, all streets and parking fields and all waterways.
Real property. The words "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.
Residence. The word "residence" shall be construed to mean the place adopted by a person as his place of habitation, and to which, whenever he is absent, he has the intention of returning. When a person eats at one place and sleeps at another, the place where such person sleeps shall be deemed his residence.
Seal. Whenever the word "seal" is used, it shall mean the city seal.
Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.
Signature, subscription. The "signature" or "subscription" of a person shall include a mark when the person cannot write.
State. The words "the state" shall be construed to mean the State of Vermont.
Street. The word "street" shall include the entire width between property lines of every way used for vehicular and pedestrian travel which has become public by authority of the law, and such ways in public places other than highways as the public is permitted to use for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Tenant, occupant. The word "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease 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.
Week. The word "week" shall be construed to mean seven (7) days.
Written, 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.
Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, §§ 151—154; Ord. of 8-13-90; Ord. of 10-25-10(1))
Source: City of Burlington, Vermont, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (General Code's codepublishing.com/VT/Burlington)URL: https://www.codepublishing.com/VT/Burlington/html/Burlington01/Burlington01.html#1-2Fetched: 11/8/2026