When used in this Charter the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter. The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future, the present. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular. “Shall” is mandatory and “May” is permissive. “Oath” includes affirmation.

The word “City” wherever it occurs in this Charter, means the City of San Luis Obispo, and every Commissioner, Commission, Board, Officer, Employee, wherever mentioned in this Charter means the Commissioner, Commission, Department, Board, Officer, or Employee, as the case may be, of the City of San Luis Obispo. The word “Council” when used in this Charter means the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo.