Which statement best describes the role of local government regarding ordinances?

Which statement best describes the role of local government regarding ordinances?

• A. They are local laws enacted by a city or county
• B. Local governments must seek state approval for every ordinance
• C. Localities cannot regulate loitering
• D. Ordinances apply only to businesses

Answer: (B)

Local governments use their police power to create ordinances, which are local laws enacted by a city or county to regulate matters within their borders for the safety, health, welfare, and morals of the community. They don’t typically need to seek state approval for every ordinance; instead, they derive the authority to enact them from state statutes or local charters, and their ordinances must align with state law and can be preempted if the state decides to take precedence. This means authorities can place restrictions on many local concerns, including loitering, building codes, zoning, noise, and traffic, among others, rather than being limited to business-related rules. So the best description is that ordinances are local laws enacted by a city or county to govern local issues, with their power situated within the framework of state law rather than requiring state approval for each ordinance.

Local governments use their police power to create ordinances, which are local laws enacted by a city or county to regulate matters within their borders for the safety, health, welfare, and morals of the community. They don’t typically need to seek state approval for every ordinance; instead, they derive the authority to enact them from state statutes or local charters, and their ordinances must align with state law and can be preempted if the state decides to take precedence. This means authorities can place restrictions on many local concerns, including loitering, building codes, zoning, noise, and traffic, among others, rather than being limited to business-related rules. So the best description is that ordinances are local laws enacted by a city or county to govern local issues, with their power situated within the framework of state law rather than requiring state approval for each ordinance.