In some states, known as home rule states, the state's constitution grants municipalities and/or counties the ability to pass various types of laws to govern themselves (so long as the laws do not conflict with the state and federal constitutions).

Home rule is the power of a local city or county to set up its own system of self-government without receiving a charter from the state. Home rule is allowed undersome state constitutions. The authority to act in local affairs is transferred from state law to a local charter, adopted and, as need be amended, by the voters through referendum.

Home rule is the government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own citizens. [1] It is thus the power of a part ( administrative division ) of a state or an external dependent country to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been decentralized to it by the central government.

Jul 24, 2014 · “Home rule” transfers authority over municipal matters from state laws to a local charter that’s drafted, adopted, and amended by voters in the municipality. A home rule charter is essentially a local constitution: it sets up the government structure …

Mar 25, 2025 · Home rule is a key feature of local governance, offering communities the ability to tailor laws and policies to their specific needs. By granting cities and towns greater authority, home rule fosters local control, policy innovation, and civic engagement.

Jul 5, 2018 · Also referred to as local control, community autonomy, and self-governance, home rule is the principle that local governments in the American federal system should possess a high degree of discretionary authority in serving their communities.

3 days ago · According to HUD, the effective date for the HOME Final Rule that was originally delayed from February 2025 to April 20, 2025, was meant to provide HUD more time to review any questions of fact, law, and policy that the final rule may raise. The released notice provides an updated timeline of effective dates below.

This publication, “Principles of Home Rule for the Twenty-First Century,” represents the culmination of a year-long process of research, drafting, outreach, and refinement.

Home rule is a provision of the state constitution or similar legislation granting a local municipality a certain amount of autonomy to allocate powers between the state and the local government. If it is accepted by the local government, then it constitutes self-government.

Home rule authorizes a local government to act in any way not inconsistent with the state constitution, state law, or the charter. Courts generally presume a home rule jurisdiction is authorized to act unless the act is specifically prohibited by state law or charter.