---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 497"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "497"
heading: "“Persons” defined"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/497"
units:
  - "Chapter 11 — Bridges Over Navigable Waters"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §497. “Persons” defined


The word “persons” as used in sections [491](/usc/33/491.md) to [494](/usc/33/494.md) and [495](/usc/33/495.md) to [498](/usc/33/498.md) of this title, shall be construed to import both the singular and the plural, as the case demands, and shall include municipalities, quasi-municipal corporations, corporations, companies, and associations.


## Source credit

(Mar. 23, 1906, ch. 1130, § 7, 34 Stat. 86.)