Article III. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION  

Words not defined herein shall have the meanings stated in the standard building code, standards plumbing Code, Standard Gas Code, or Standard Fire Prevention Code. Words not defined in the standard codes shall have the meanings in the Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, as revised.

Words in the present tense include the future tense. Words used in the singular include the plural, and words used in the plural include the singular.

(a)

The word "shall" is always mandatory.

(b)

The word "may" is permissive.

(c)

The word "lot" includes the word "plot" or "parcel".

(d)

The word "person" includes a firm, association, organization, partnership, trust company, or corporation, as well as an individual.

(e)

The word "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building shall be construed to imply that said land or building is in actual use or occupancy and shall be construed to include words "intended", "arranged", or "designed to be used or occupied". An intended project shall be defined as one where substantial monies have been spent towards the goal of the project.

(f)

The word "map" or "zoning map" shall mean the official zoning map of the City of Charleston, South Carolina.

The term "planning commission" refers to the Planning Commission for the City of North Charleston. The term council, mayor and council, or city council shall mean the legally elected governing body of the City of North Charleston. The term "Board of Zoning Appeals" refers to the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of North Charleston.