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Section 2.01

Construction of Language

Adopted July 27, 2026

The following rules of construction apply to the text of this Ordinance:

1. The particular shall control the general.
2. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Ordinance and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.
3. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary. The word "may" is permissive, with the decision made by the Planning Commission, Village Council, or Zoning Board of Appeals, as indicated.
4. Words used in the present tense shall include the future; and words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
5. The words “used” or “occupied” include the words “intended”, “designed”, or “arranged to be used or occupied”; the word “building” includes the word “structure” and any part thereof; the word “dwelling” includes the word “residence”; the word “lot” includes the words “plot” or “parcel.”
6. The word "person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an incorporated or unincorporated association, or any other entity recognizable as a "person" under the laws of Michigan.
7. Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, where a regulation involves two (2) or more items, conditions, provisions, or events connected by the conjunction "and", "or", "either…or", the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:
8. "And" indicates that all the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply.
9. "Or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events may apply singly or in any combination (i.e., "or" also means "and/or").
10. "Either...or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply singly but not in combination.
11. The terms "abutting" or "adjacent to" include property along the lot lines of the subject site including those in another community, but do not include lands separated by a public street right-of-way.
12. The term "this Zoning Ordinance" or "this Ordinance" includes the Village of Mayville Zoning Ordinance and any amendments thereto.
13. Terms not herein defined shall have the meaning customarily assigned to them.