An ordinance is a law or rule made by a city or town government. While Congress passes laws for the whole country and state legislatures pass laws for entire states, city councils and town boards pass ordinances that apply only to their local area.

For example, a city might pass an ordinance requiring dog owners to keep their pets on leashes in public parks. Another town might have an ordinance about how late at night you can play loud music. Some communities pass ordinances about where you can ride skateboards or how tall you can build a fence in your yard.

Ordinances handle the day-to-day details of community life: parking rules, noise limits, business permits, and local safety requirements. They're usually more specific than broader state or federal laws. If you've ever seen a “No Skateboarding” sign at a library or a posted curfew time for a city park, you're seeing an ordinance in action.

Ordinances help keep communities organized and running smoothly by setting clear expectations that everyone living there needs to follow. Breaking an ordinance might result in a fine or other penalty, just like breaking any other law.