DEFINITION

• Municipal Law is a mixture of ordinances, regulations, bylaws and decisions that govern a municipality. Because municipalities have many and various responsibilities, the law in this area covers a broad range of issues.

• A municipality is a city, town or local government unit, formed by municipal charter from the state as a municipal corporation. Its purpose is to govern local affairs such as zoning, the delivery of services such as water and police protection, and the administration of local departments like the school system.

• Local ordinances are drafted and/or enforced by governing bodies of (sometimes) elected officials such as the city council, school boards, planning boards or zoning boards. Hearings before these boards on local business or controversies are usually open to the public. Decisions on local matters may be appealed, and if they involve a federal issue, may even be heard all the way to the Supreme Court.

FIND A MUNICIPAL LAW ATTORNEY IN YOUR AREA.

RELATED PRACTICE AREAS

Real Estate Law
Land Use & Zoning
Environmental Law

BUZZWORDS

Bylaws - The local laws or municipal statutes of a city or town.

Land Use - Generic term used to describe activities such as zoning and/or the control of real estate developments. Land-use planning laws are implemented by local zoning and ordinances.

Municipal Charter - A legislative enactment conferring governmental powers of the state upon its local agencies.

Municipal Corporation - A city, town or other local political entity formed by charter from the state and having the authority to self-govern and administer the state's local affairs.

Police Power - Authority granted by the Tenth Amendment to the states and, in turn, delegated to local governments to establish a department of police. Specifically, the adoption of laws and regulations to prevent the commission of crime, and secure the comfort, safety, morals, health and prosperity of citizens.

Ordinance - A statute or regulation, especially one established by a municipal government.

Regulation - A rule or order, having legal force, issued by an administrative agency or local government.