State Legal Research: General and Multi-Jurisdictional

There is unfortunately no single source where you can find a comprehensive collection of all municipal codes. The following is a list of places to check if looking for the codes, ordinances, bylaws, or measures of a specific locality or municipality. Always check any available currency information in the source you're referencing.

The Law Library of Congress also has a research guide on this topic, Municipal Codes: A Beginner's Guide (navigate using the menu on the left); this guide is particularly helpful if you are looking for older or superseded municipal codes, sample codes and guidance, or related secondary sources.

Study Aids

• Local Government Law (2019) (Reading Room Study Aids KF5300 .R49 2019 & West Study Aid) an in-depth Hornbook that covers such areas as forms of local government, state limitations on local governments, relationship to federal government, municipal powers and legislation, public officers and employees, finances, utilities, property, regulation, contracts and liabilities, urban renewal and public housing.
• Understanding Local Government (2009) (Reading Room Study Aids KF5300 .S74 2009) covers local authority, local regulations, contracts, voting rights, public officials and employees, finances and contracts.
• Local Government Law in a Nutshell (2003) (West Study Aid) discusses local governing power, formation of the local government, boundary changes, organization and operation, land use and more.

Treatises and Books

• Antieau on Local Government Law offers in-depth analyses of new developments in local laws; organization of local government; relationship with federal, state and other local governments; general local powers; contracts, constitutional, civil rights and tort liability; local judiciary, finances, land use, elections and education; and more.
• Local Government Law covers local laws, local regulatory powers, and intergovernmental relationships.
• Westlaw's Secondary Sources: Topic Municipal Laws provides a list of all Municipal Law secondary sources -- including treatises -- offered on Westlaw.

To identify books, both in print and electronically, found in the Law Library, conduct an advanced catalog search with Subject is (exact) Local government -- Law and legislation -- United States.

Periodicals

The following periodicals have a primary focus on municipal law practice.

• McQuillin Municipal Law Report is a monthly newsletter that covers key state and federal court decisions affecting municipalities.
• Urban Lawyer (also found in HeinOnline, Lexis Advance, Westlaw).
• Municipal Lawyer is published by the International Municipal Lawyers Association offers in-depth analyses on issues that are of special interest to local government lawyers.
• Harvard Law Review: Local Government focuses on recent legislation and cases in local jurisdictions.

Web Resources

• Governing: The Future of States and Localities is a service aimed primarily for public leaders that provides news and analyses on states and localities.