Sec. 12.1.1. General Meaning of Words and Terms

  1. All words and terms used have their commonly accepted and ordinary meaning unless they are specifically defined in this UDO or the context in which they are used clearly indicates to the contrary.
  2. In the absence of court decisions or Board of Adjustment decisions specifically interpreting a provision in question, specific definitions listed in this UDO or previous interpretations of a provision by the Zoning Administrator, the meaning of provisions shall be based on the following general hierarchy of sources:
    1. For a legal term, definitions in a legal dictionary or if not a legal term, definitions in an ordinary dictionary;
    2. Statements of the purpose and intent of particular sections or background reports and studies adopted or referred to in this UDO, although such documents cannot overrule a specific code provision;
    3. Minutes of discussions of legislative or advisory bodies considering adoption of the provision in question;
    4. Definitions of similar terms contained in Federal and State statutes and regulations; and
    5. Ordinary rules of grammar.
  3. When vagueness or ambiguity is found to exist as to the meaning of any word or term used, any appropriate cannon, maxim, principle or other technical rule of interpretations or construction used by the courts of this State may be employed to resolve vagueness and ambiguity in language.