After Congress passes a law (statute), it then goes to all the federal agencies. Those agencies named in the law will then propose initial rules to comply with the new statutory law. Only agencies specifically named in the law propose new rules, as specifically instructed in the law. The proposed rules are first published in the Federal Register and on the agency's web site.
All proposed rules along with any proposed changes in existing rules have a public comment period.
After the public comment period, adjustments may be made to the proposed rules and then enacted. Once a new rule has been enacted, it is incorporated into the Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR).
Regulations.gov is the federal website for making public comments and finding all the information relating to proposed rules and existing regulations.
Each state and U.S. territory has its official web site with the administrative (executive) rules and regulations, the judicial system, and the legislature.
The county or parish is the level just below the states and above the cities/municipalities. They have ordinances and codes. The codes and ordinances of the county apply to all unincorporated areas (rural places mostly). These codes will be found on the official county web sites.
Zoning codes are often separate documents, usually found under the planning, zoning, or community development departments.
Building and fire codes are also frequently separate. They are often found within the department responsible for issuing building permits.
If a county does not have its own code for such things as building, fire, or zoning, then the state codes will apply in their stead.
Local regulations are called ordinances. When they are grouped by topic, they ae called the city code or municipal code You will need to find the official page of the city government and then, usually the office of the city clerk.
Many larger cities now have the city or municipal code on its own web page.
Zoning codes are often separate documents, usually found under the planning, zoning, or community development departments.
Building and fire codes are also frequently separate. They are often found within the department responsible for issuing building permits.
If a city/town/village does not have its own code for such things as building, fire, or zoning, then the county codes will apply in their stead.
Federal law is the primary law of Nation American reservations, but some tribes do have their own codes. In the absence of tribal ordinances, zoning, building, or fire codes, the federal codes apply.
