(A) 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.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

• CITY. The city of Hermiston, Oregon.
• CODE, THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. This city code as modified by amendment, revision, and adoption of new titles, chapters, or sections.
• COUNTY. Umatilla County, Oregon.
• MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
• MONTH. A calendar month.
• OATH. 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. An officer, office, employee, commission, or department of this city unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
• PERSON. Extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, or receiver. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
• PRECEDING or FOLLOWING. Next before or next after, respectively.
• PREMISES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The same meaning as that set forth in ORS 801.400.
• SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
• SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
• STATE. The State of Oregon.
• SUBCHAPTER. 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.
• WRITTEN. Any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
• YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.

(Ord. 2009, passed 8-28-00)