What are ordinances in legal terms?

Ordinances, in legal terms, refer specifically to laws enacted by a local municipal authority, such as a city or town council. These laws govern local issues and can address a variety of matters, including zoning, public safety, and local business operations. Municipalities have the power to create ordinances to meet the unique needs of their communities, which reflects a level of governance much closer to the citizens than state or federal levels.

State laws are broader mandates that apply throughout an entire state, encompassing areas such as education, transportation, and criminal justice, but they are not categorized as ordinances. Federal regulations originate from national legislation and agencies, applying across all states, which distinguishes them further from local ordinances. International treaties, on the other hand, are formal agreements between sovereign nations and involve international law; they are not created by local governance and do not fall under the category of ordinances either.

Thus, the designation of local municipal laws as ordinances captures their specific nature and function within the legal framework.