True or false: A municipal council can amend or repeal a previously adopted ordinance using a resolution.
Answer: False.
A council can amend or repeal an adopted municipal ordinance only by adopting another ordinance.
Councils enact ordinances any time they seek to create or modify a law that would be broadly applicable and have a long-lasting effect. Ordinances require at least two readings on two separate days with at least six days between each reading before they can have the force of law. Afterward, they must be placed into the municipal code.
Resolutions, however, are generally used by councils to express a policy or position on an issue, or to bring emphasis to an issue.
The Municipal Association of SC Handbook for Municipal Officials in South Carolina details the differences between ordinances and resolutions, including all of the circumstances when state law requires an ordinance for a council to act.
The Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government offers in-person and online courses. On May 19, the institute will offer in-person sessions “Municipal Governance and Policy” as well as “Freedom of Information Act in SC” at several regional councils of governments locations. The deadline to register for these is May 11.