True or false:
Municipal councils are empowered by state law to adopt ordinances, which are local laws of a general and permanent nature, and to set fines and penalties for the enforcement of those ordinances.
Answer: True
Under Home Rule, South Carolina cities and towns are subordinate units of state government. They derive their power from the state constitution and laws adopted by the General Assembly Municipal ordinances, resolutions or regulations must be consistent with the federal and state constitutions and laws.
Every proposed ordinance must be introduced in writing in the form required for final adoption. No ordinance has the force of law until it has had at least two readings on two separate days with at least six days between each reading. Section 5-7-270.
Municipal ordinances must be codified; indexed; typewritten or printed; maintained in a current form; reflect all amendments or repeals; and be available for public inspection at reasonable times. Section 5-7-290.
State law requires that certain actions be accomplished by ordinance. For a complete list of these actions, refer to pages 32 - 33 of the Handbook for Municipal Elected Officials in SC.
The Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government offers both in-person and online courses. Elected officials who complete all of the required coursework graduate from the institute. Register for the May 23 "Freedom of Information Act in S.C." and "Municipal Economic Development" courses online.