Tennessee American Legion Boys State Practice Exam

Which statement best describes an ordinance compared to a statute?

An ordinance is a national law; a statute is a city rule.

An ordinance is a federal law; a statute is a local rule.

An ordinance is a local law; a statute is a state or federal law enacted by the legislature.

Ordinances are local laws created by city or county governments to govern community matters like zoning, building codes, or noise restrictions. Statutes are laws enacted by state or federal legislatures that apply more broadly across a state or the entire country, such as criminal penalties, tax laws, or civil procedures. So the best description is that an ordinance is a local law, while a statute is a state or federal law enacted by the legislature. The other statements mix up levels of government or mischaracterize what an ordinance or statute is—for example, ordinances aren’t national laws or court orders, and statutes aren’t simply local rules or regulatory decrees issued by courts.

An ordinance is a court order; a statute is a regulatory rule.