A byelaw is a law which only affects the area of a Council. They are issued (made) by that Council only when it has been granted the power to do so by an Act of Parliament. The purpose of byelaws is to prevent or reduce some nuisance or harm to people who live, visit or work in that area.
By-laws may be used to set principles for decision-making and to provide for specific rules and regulations, accompanied by offences and penalty clauses. By-laws can also set procedures for the application of authorisations and approvals from the municipality, for example.
Municipal bylaws are often enforceable through the public justice system, and offenders can be charged with a criminal offence for breach of a bylaw.
South African municipal by-laws serve as legal frameworks established by local governments to govern specific areas within their jurisdictions. By-laws cover a wide range of aspects, including zoning, noise control, waste management, building regulations, and more.
Ordinances typically require or prohibit certain actions under certain circumstances. A local agency's ordinances are frequently indexed and recorded into a “code.” These codes become part of the city or county's legislative history and may prove useful even many years after adopted.