A local law is a law adopted by a council that reflects community needs and ensures the good rule and government of the area.

Through local laws, local governments can establish permit or licence regimes for activities they want to regulate, to create offences for unacceptable behaviour and to allow for the issue of compliance or abatement notices.

You can view your local government's local laws by searching our local laws database.

Types of local laws

There are four types of local laws:

1. Model local laws

Model local laws are proposed by the Minister for Local Government to cover issues that are common to many local governments.

2. Interim local laws

Interim local laws are adopted for a limited period (usually six months) while the local government conducts public consultation before introducing the law permanently.

Interim local laws are typically introduced to address those cases of immediate public health and safety risks or where there is a concern that action may be taken during the public consultation to make the law, which would defeat the purpose of introducing the law.

3. Subordinate local laws

Subordinate local laws provide the detailed information required for the operation of a local law.

For example, a local law may allow a local government to, by subordinate local law, specify the maximum number of animals that may be kept on a property and the minimum conditions to be complied with in relation to the keeping of those animals.

4. Other local laws

Other local laws are laws independently made by local governments to deal with an issue in their areas. Other local laws also include laws which amend or repeal existing local laws.