An ordinance is a law or decree by a municipality. Put differently, an ordinance is a local law. Municipal governments can pass ordinances on matters that the state government allows to be regulated at the local level. The ordinance carries the state's authority and has the same effect as a state statute. Local Codes​ are ordinances pertaining to what is permitted within the city limits of Olsburg.

A charter ordinance is a concept used by states such as Kansas to grant home rule powers to municipalities. Instead of having a broad municipal charter document, the municipality may adopt specific charter ordinances that differ from certain state statutes or local acts of the state legislature.

A Resolution is a statement of policy by the governing body or an order by the governing body that a specific action is taken. Resolutions usually apply only within the municipal government itself.

• Resolutions may be submitted and adopted at a single meeting of the council
• Resolutions become effective upon adoption unless a delayed effective date is specified therein
• After adoption, the resolution shall be entered into the minutes and authenticated by the presiding officer

While codification of resolutions is not specifically required by law, filing sequentially numbered resolutions in a Resolution Book greatly facilitates future access, as compared to having to locate the resolution in the minutes of an unknown council meeting.