A city ordinance is a type of authoritative law, rule, or regulation made by a city government, as opposed to a law made by a state, province, or national government. It is intended to address issues of local concern, and typically applies to people subject to the city’s jurisdiction. Most are enacted by a city council, and they have the equivalent power and force of a statute. When a new city ordinance is enacted, it usually becomes part of the city’s municipal code.

City ordinances generally address issues relating to public health, safety, and welfare, and they can either prohibit or proscribe a certain type of behavior. If a person fails to comply with an ordinance, he or she can be fined. In some cases, an offending person will receive warnings before penalties are assessed. Local police and local district attorneys are usually responsible for enforcing a city ordinance.