Legal Definitions - home-rule charter

A home-rule charter is a type of charter that allows a local government to create its own rules and regulations. This means that the government can make decisions that are specific to their community, rather than following state or federal laws.

For example, a city with a home-rule charter may be able to pass laws about zoning, taxes, and public services that are different from the laws in other cities in the same state.

Another example is a county with a home-rule charter that decides to ban certain types of businesses from operating within its borders, even if those businesses are legal in the state.

These examples illustrate how a home-rule charter gives local governments more control over their own affairs, and allows them to tailor their laws to the needs and preferences of their community.