Which statement correctly distinguishes Regulations from Ordinances?

• A. Regulations are informal guidelines.
• B. Regulations are laws passed by local governments.
• C. Regulations are issued by a government agency with enabling legislation; Ordinances are local laws enacted by local government.
• D. Ordinances regulate administrative processes.

Answer: (C)

Distinguishing factors are who creates the rule and where it applies. Regulations are issued by a government agency that has authority from enabling legislation to make rules implementing statutes. They interpret and enforce those statutes and apply broadly within the agency’s jurisdiction. Ordinances, on the other hand, are local laws enacted by a city, town, or county’s legislative body to govern local matters like zoning, building codes, or local conduct.

That’s why the statement is correct: regulations come from a government agency under enabling legislation, while ordinances are local laws enacted by local government. The other ideas treat regulations as informal guidelines, or assign local enactment to regulations, or suggest ordinances focus on administrative processes, which doesn’t capture the standard distinction.