Earlier editions: 2026-09
Pacifica Municipal Code Ch. 3 Rules of Construction
Pacifica Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Pacifica
Cite as: Pacifica Municipal Code Chapter 3 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 1-3.01. - Scope of chapter.¶
Unless the provisions of this Code otherwise specifically provide, or the context of this Code indicates to the contrary, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions set forth in this chapter shall govern the construction of this Code. The provisions of this Code and all proceedings under it are to be construed with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.
Sec. 1-3.02. - Definitions.¶
For the purposes of this Code, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this Code are defined as follows:
(a) "Calendar year" shall mean from January 1 through December 31 of any given year.
(b) "City" shall mean the City of Pacifica.
(c) "Council" shall mean the City Council of the City of Pacifica.
(d) "County" shall mean the County of San Mateo.
(e) "Fiscal year" shall mean from July 1 of any given year through June 30 of the following year.
(f) "Gender". The masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders.
(g) "May" shall be permissive.
(h) "Month" shall mean a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed.
(i) "Number". The singular number shall include the plural, and the plural number shall include the singular.
(j) "Oath" shall include affirmation.
(k) "Office". The use of the title of any officer, employee, office, or ordinance shall mean such officer, employee, office, or ordinance of the City, unless otherwise specified.
(l) "Official time standard". Wherever certain hours are named in this Code, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the City.
(m) "Owner", applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant, tenant in common, or joint tenant of the whole or a part of such building or land.
(n) "Person" shall include any person, firm, company, corporation, partnership, association, public corporation, political subdivision, city (excepting the City of Pacifica), the County of San Mateo, district in the County of San Mateo, the State of California, or the United States of America, or any department or agency of any thereof, unless this Code expressly provides otherwise.
(o) "Personal property" shall include money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidences of debt.
(p) "Property" shall include both real and personal property.
(q) "Quarterly", where used to designate a period of time, shall mean the first three (3) calendar months of any given year or any succeeding period of three (3) calendar months.
(r) "Real property" shall include lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
(s) "Shall" shall be mandatory.
(t) "State" shall mean the State of California.
(u) "Street" shall include all streets, highways, avenues, boulevards, alleys, courts, places, squares, or other public ways in the City which have been or may hereafter be dedicated and open to public use, or such other public property so designated in any law of the State.
(v) "Tenant" or "occupant", applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
(w) "Tenses". The present tense shall include the past and future tenses, and the future tense shall include the present tense.
(Former § 1-3.02 repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982; former § 1-3.13 as renumbered to § 1-3.02 by codifier)
Sec. 1-3.03. - Tenure of officers preserved.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.04. - Effect of headings.¶
The title, chapter, article, and section headings contained in this Code shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of any title, chapter, article, or section of this Code.
Sec. 1-3.05. - Meaning of section and subsection.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.06. - References to acts or omissions within the City.¶
This Code shall refer only to the omission or commission of acts within the territorial limits of the City and to that territory outside the City over which the City has jurisdiction or control by virtue of the Constitution of the State of California or any law, or by reason of ownership or control of property.
Sec. 1-3.07. - Acts by deputies.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.08. - Writing.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.09. - References to ordinances: Application to amendments.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.10. - Service of notices.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.11. - Service of notices: Proof.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.12. - Statute of limitations.¶
(Repealed by § 1, Ord. 343-C.S., eff. August 11, 1982)
Sec. 1-3.13. - Definitions.¶
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