Who enacts ordinances?

The enactment of ordinances is typically the responsibility of local elected officials. Ordinances are laws or regulations made by a city or county government, and they are crucial for addressing community-specific issues such as zoning, public safety, and health regulations. Local elected officials, including mayors and city council members, have the authority to propose, debate, and vote on these ordinances, thereby allowing them to tailor regulations to the unique needs and circumstances of their localities.

State legislatures and federal legislators are responsible for creating laws that apply at the state and national levels, respectively, but they do not enact local ordinances. Regulatory agencies may develop rules and regulations within the framework set by laws, but the authority to enact ordinances remains with local governing bodies. This structure empowers communities to address their specific challenges effectively through locally relevant legislation.