According to the Minnesota Association of Townships:
Black's Law Dictionary defines an ordinance as a "...rule established by authority; a permanent rule of action; a law or statute...An ordinance is the equivalent of a municipal statute..." In other words, ordinances are the formal regulations imposed by a town board to govern the community. Ordinances are generally enforceable by criminal prosecution, usually as a misdemeanor, or by civil actions such as seeking a court order or injunction. Zoning, animal control and nuisance controls are common issues governed through the adoption of ordinances. Unlike by-laws, motions, and resolutions, the procedure for adopting ordinances is mandated by statute. For townships, Minn. Stat. 365.125 sets forth the procedure that must be followed. This procedure essentially requires approval by a majority vote of the town board, the signature of the town board chairperson and being attested to by the town clerk, publication in the official newspaper, posting in the public library or other designated public place, and recording in a book of ordinances maintained with the township records.