Ordinances 101: What Every Municipal Official Should Know

What Is an Ordinance?

Cities and villages have the power to legislate—that is, to make laws. Cities and villages exercise their legislative power by adopting or amending ordinances. The power to legislate by adopting ordinances is expressly granted by the Michigan Constitution. Const 1963, Art 7, § 22. A properly adopted ordinance has the force and effect of law and is presumed to be valid.  Read more on the MML website.