Alta (Utah) Ordinances, 1972-

This series is made up of ordinances which have been adopted by the Alta Town Council to govern and maintain the operation of the city for the peace, benefit, and regulation of the municipality. These documents were compiled and maintained by the town clerk, who is required by state statute to keep a record book of all ordinances passed by the town council. The body of ordinances has been systematically arranged into a code of ordinances or municipal code and is available online (http://www.townofalta.com/gov_ordinances.shtml).

Municipal ordinances, resolutions, and procedure are described in the Utah Municipal Code (Utah Code, 1953, title 10, chapter 3, sections 701-719). Subject to the Utah Municipal Code, the governing body of a municipality exercises its legislative powers through ordinances (Utah Code, 1953, Title 10, chapter 3, section 701 [1977]). A municipal ordinance may "regulate, require, prohibit, govern, control or supervise any activity, business, conduct, or conditionauthorized" by the Municipal Code or any other provision of law. Typical ordinances "provide for the safety and preserve the health, and promote the prosperity, improve the morals, peace and good order, comfort, and convenience of the city and its inhabitants, and for the protection of property in the city." Ordinances generally address issues not already covered by state or federal laws and must not be in conflict with state or federal law or the constitution of Utah or the United States. Obedience to ordinances may be enforced with fines or penalties in accordance with the Municipal Code. The form of ordinances is prescribed by the Municipal Code. Proposed ordinances are discussed in a public hearing during a meeting of the city council. If an effective date is not specified in the ordinance, it becomes "effective 20 days after publication or posting or 30 days after final passage..., whichever is closer to the date of final passage." A certificate stating the date of passage and ofthe date of publication or posting immediately follows each ordinance or codification.

Municipalities are empowered to "revise, codify, and compile...and to publish in book, pamphlet, or looseleaf form all ordinances." The Town of Alta was incorporated under the laws of the State of Utah by a resolution of the governing body of the Town of Alta on August 20, 1970.