Ordinance

An ordinance is a formal rule enacted by a local government such as a city, town, village, or county. It represents a statute within the jurisdiction’s own legal order and is distinct from higher-level statutes enacted by state or national legislatures. Local ordinances typically address matters of local concern and may regulate public safety, health, welfare, land use, housing, commerce, and the environment. Common categories include zoning ordinances, building and fire codes, traffic and parking rules, noise and nuisance controls, business licensing, and waste management.

Enactment generally follows a legislative process: a proposal is drafted by a council or mayor, public notice is given, a public hearing may be held, and the legislative body votes on the measure. If approved, the ordinance may require the mayor’s signature to become law or take effect upon adoption, with some jurisdictions specifying effective dates or transitional rules. Ordinances are enforceable by local authorities, with penalties ranging from fines to criminal penalties in some cases, and enforcement is typically handled by code enforcement, police, or other municipal agencies.

Ordinances can be amended or repealed by the same local body, and they may be subject to judicial review to ensure consistency with higher law and constitutional rights. They can also be preempted by state or national law in areas where higher authorities have exclusive or overriding power. Historically, the term derives from English municipal governance and remains the standard term for local regulations in many common-law jurisdictions.