§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all other ordinances of the county, the following rules and definitions shall be observed, unless such would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the council:

Agent. The term "agent" means a person acting on behalf of another.

Business dealing with the public. The term "business dealing with the public" means such solicitations and transactions regularly engaged in for monetary or other considerations, but does not mean isolated or casual business transactions in which the public is not invited or expected to participate and which are outside the scope of a person's regular business or operations.

Charter. The term "Charter" means the Charter of the County of Los Alamos, New Mexico, as printed in part I of this volume.

Code. The terms "code" and "this Code" mean the Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances, as adopted by the council and as subsequently amended.

Computation of time. Unless otherwise specifically provided, in computing time the first day shall be excluded and the last included. If the last day falls on a weekend, the time prescribed shall be extended so as to include the whole of the following Monday. If the last day falls on a holiday, the time prescribed shall be extended so as to include the whole of the next workday.

Council. The term "council" means the governing body of the County of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

County. The term "county" means the incorporated County of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Department, board, commission, office, officer and employee. The term "department," "board," "commission," "office," "officer" or "employee" means a department, board, commission, office, officer or employee of the County of Los Alamos, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Discriminate. The term "discriminate" includes, but is not limited to, separate or segregate.

Employee. The term "employee" does not include any individual employed by his parent, spouse or child or in the domestic service of any person.

Employer. The term "employer" means any person employing four or more employees in some kind of employment and any person acting in the interest of such employer, but does not include a social or fraternal club not organized for profit.

Employment agency. The term "employment agency" means any person undertaking, with or without compensation, to produce opportunities to work or to procure, recruit, refer or place persons for employment.

Gender. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

Housing. The term "housing" means any building, structure or its portion, used, occupied, intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as the home, residence or living quarters of one or more human beings, or any parcel of land or its portion, available for the construction of such building or structure.

Labor organization. The term "labor organization" means any organization existing and constituted for the purposes, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or of dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or for other mutual aid or protection in relation to employment.

Lending institution. The term "lending institution" means any person regularly engaged in the business of lending money or guaranteeing loans.

Manager. The term "manager" means the person, or his duly authorized agent, holding the office of county manager de facto or de jure, under article III of the Charter.

Minor. The term "minor" means any person under the age of 18 years, unless otherwise provided by any specific section of this Code.

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month.

NMSA 1978. The abbreviation "NMSA 1978" means New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1978 Compilation, as amended.

Nighttime. The term "nighttime" means the period of time between sunrise and sunset.

Number. Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural includes the singular number.

Oath. The term "oath" includes the term "affirmation" in all cases where an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and, in like cases, the word "swear" includes the word "affirm."

Officers and employees. Whenever reference is made to an officer or employee by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words "of the Los Alamos County" and shall be taken to mean the officer or employee of the county having the title mentioned, or the person performing, at the direction of the manager, the duties indicated.

Owner. When applied to a building or land, the term "owner" means any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety or person holding a community interest of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person. The term "person" means an individual, association, society, club, firm, partnership, corporation or any other form of association or organization.

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

Shall and may. The term "shall" is mandatory; the term "may" is permissive.

State. The term "state" means the State of New Mexico.

Tenant and occupant. When applied to a building or land, the terms "tenant" and "occupant" mean any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.

Tense. Words used in the present tense include the future tense.

Written and in writing. The terms "written" and "in writing" include printing, engraving or any other mode of representing words and letters.

Year. The term "year" means a calendar year.

(Ord. No. 85-35, § 2, 1986; Code 1985, § 1.04.040; Ord. No. 02-256, § 1, 7-7-2015)