How to cite a municipal ordinance

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format, B12 / R12.9.2.

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format for a municipal ordinance, governed by B12 / R12.9.2. Worked example, required elements, and the rules that apply.

Example

S.F., Cal., Police Code art. 16, div. 1, § 1076(a) (2000).

Governing rules

B12 / R12.9.2

• 12 — statutes.
• T10 — geographical terms.
• T16 — document subdivisions.
• 12.9.2 — ordinances.

Required elements

• Municipality
• State

Optional elements

• Code name (a codified ordinance) — R12.9.2: an uncodified ordinance is cited by number and date instead.
• Article
• Division
• Chapter
• Section
• Ordinance number (uncodified)
• Ordinance name
• Date (uncodified)
• Year of the code

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