1.05.050 Definitions.
(1) General Rule. Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, or ordinary and usual, sense. However, technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(2) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
“Abandoned vehicle” means the following:
(a) A vehicle located on public property illegally.
(b) A vehicle left on public property without being moved for 24 hours.
(c) A vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public right-of-way.
(d) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than 48 hours.
(e) A vehicle from which the engine, transmission, or differential has been removed or that is otherwise partially dismantled or inoperable and left on public property.
(f) A vehicle that has been removed by a towing service or public agency upon request of an officer enforcing a statute or an ordinance other than this chapter if the impounded vehicle is not claimed or redeemed by the owner or the owner’s agent within 20 days after the vehicle’s removal.
(g) A vehicle that is at least three model years old, is mechanically inoperable, and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than 20 days. For purposes of this definition, a vehicle covered by a tarpaulin or other plastic, vinyl, rubber, cloth, or textile covering is considered to be visible.
(h) A vehicle:
(i) That was repaired or stored at the request of the owner;
(ii) That has not been claimed by the owner; and
(iii) For which the reasonable value of the charges associated with the repair or storage remain unpaid more than 30 days after the date on which the repair work is completed or the vehicle is first stored.
“Code,” “this code” or “this code of ordinances” means this municipal code as modified by amendment, revision, and adoption of new titles, chapters, or sections.
“Computation of time” means the time within which any act provided by law is to be done and shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last. If the last day is Sunday, it shall be excluded and the next day shall be included.
“Corporate limits” or “town limits” means the legal boundaries of the town of Homecroft, except as otherwise provided by law.
“County” means Marion County, Indiana.
Delegation of Authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or some other town officer to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer 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.
Joint Authority. All words giving joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.
“May” means the act referred to is permissive.
“Month” means a calendar month.
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.
“Oath” means 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.”
“Officer,” “office,” “employee,” “commission,” or “department” means an officer, office, employee, commission, or department of this municipality unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
“Owner,” applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, or joint tenant of the whole or a part of the building or land, either alone or with others.
“Person” extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, or receiver. Whenever used in any clause which prescribes and imposes a penalty, the term “person” or “whoever” as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof and, as applied to corporations, the officers thereof.
“Personal property” means every species of property except real property.
“Preceding” or “following” means next before or next after, respectively.
“Property” means real and personal property.
“Public place” means any street or highway, sidewalk, park, school yard or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.
“Quorum” means a majority of the elected members of the town council, a board, commission or committee holding office, unless otherwise specifically provided in this code.
“Real property” means lands, tenements, and hereditaments and all chattels real.
“Shall” means the act referred to is mandatory.
“Sidewalk” means that portion of a street between the curb lines of the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for use of pedestrians.
“Signature” or “subscription” includes a mark when the person cannot write.
“State” means the state of Indiana.
“Street” means, except as provided in the traffic code, the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public as a matter of right.
“Subchapter” means a division of a chapter, designated in this code by a heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have subchapters.
“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.
“Town,” “municipal corporation,” or “municipality” means the town of Homecroft, Indiana.
“Town council” means the town council of the town of Homecroft, Indiana.
“Weeds and other rank vegetation” means the uncontrolled or uncultivated growth of grass, weeds, or other vegetation that exceeds a height of 12 inches. As defined the term “weeds and other rank vegetation” does not include ornamental landscaping and/or agricultural crops, such as hay and pasture.
“Wholesale,” “wholesaler,” or “wholesale dealer” means the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things in quantity to persons who purchase for purposes of resale, as distinguished from a retail dealer who sells in smaller quantities direct to the consumer.
“Written” means any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
“Year” means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. [Amended during 2020 recodification; Ord. 18-05 § 5, 2018.]