Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-8
Word usage
Operative Text
The use of the present tense includes the future tense; the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular. The word "person" includes a corporation and partnership as well as an individual; "writing" includes printing and typewriting; "oath" includes affirmation; "signature" or "subscription" includes a mark made by a person who cannot write, if his name is written near such mark.
Section 149-8 of Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 149 establishes standard rules of interpretation for the words and terms used throughout the chapter. It clarifies that gendered or singular language is not meant to be restrictive, that references to persons extend to corporations and partnerships, and that formal terms like 'oath' or 'signature' are defined broadly to include practical equivalents such as affirmations or marks made by those who cannot write. These rules ensure that the chapter's provisions apply consistently regardless of how a particular word or phrase might be read in isolation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Chapter 149 should be aware that Section 149-8 means the chapter's rules apply broadly — references to a single unit, a male pronoun, or an individual person, for example, extend to multiple units, any gender, and business entities such as corporations or partnerships. A compliant operator generally reads the chapter's requirements with this expansive interpretive lens rather than looking for narrow loopholes in word choice. Entities managing properties through a corporate or partnership structure should understand they are fully subject to the chapter's obligations under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 149-8 confirms that the protections and rules in Chapter 149 are written to apply broadly, so tenants should not be discouraged if a provision appears to use language that seems not to apply to their situation — such as a singular reference or a gendered pronoun. Tenants who believe a landlord is attempting to avoid a chapter obligation by relying on a narrow or technical reading of a word may find this interpretive provision relevant when raising a concern with local housing authorities or a tenant-rights organization. Understanding that 'person' under this section includes corporations and partnerships can also be relevant when a tenant's landlord is a business entity rather than an individual.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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