municipalitiesare

Municipalities are subnational political units that administer local affairs within a country. They typically cover urban, suburban, or rural areas and provide a local layer of government distinct from regional or national authorities. The precise definition of a municipality varies by country, but most systems grant these entities a degree of self-government through elected bodies and charters or statutes.

Governance is usually based on an elected council and an executive head such as a mayor, city manager, or equivalent. Some jurisdictions employ a strong-mayor model in which the mayor has substantial executive authority, while others use a council-manager model with professional administration.

Functions and services commonly include land use planning and zoning, local ordinances, infrastructure maintenance (roads, street lighting, water supply, sewage), waste management, public health, housing, parks and recreation, libraries, policing and fire protection, and cultural or economic development programs.

Funding typically comes from local taxes and fees, charges for services, and grants or transfers from higher levels of government. The powers of municipalities are constrained by national or regional laws and may be exercised within defined charters, constitutions, or legal statutes.

Regional variation exists: in the United States, municipalities are usually cities or towns with home-rule powers; in the United Kingdom they are often called councils or boroughs; in many European countries they operate alongside counties or districts with layered responsibilities.

Note: "municipalitiesare" is not a standard term; this article focuses on municipalities as defined in common law and statutory contexts.