Legislative Chain
Trace the Law to Its Source
Every code section has a history. LocalCode shows you the ordinance that wrote it, the statute that authorized it, and every amendment that changed it — in one connected chain.
How It Works
The Chain Every Section Has
Every municipal code section was created by an ordinance. That ordinance was adopted under a statute. And since then, it may have been amended — once, or a dozen times.
Most tools give you the current text and stop there. LocalCode gives you the chain: where the section came from, what changed it, and whether the authority it rests on is still valid.
This is what legal work actually requires — not just the text, but the provenance.
Code Section
Current text + effective date
The provision as it reads today, with the date it took effect.
Adopting Ordinance
The law that created it
Ordinance number, adoption date, and a link to the source document.
Amending Ordinances
Every change, in chronological order
The full amendment history — what changed, when, and by which ordinance.
Enabling Statute
State authorization
The state law that authorizes the municipality to regulate this subject matter.
For Legal Work
When a Client's Entitlement Depends on a Code Section
You need to know three things: Was this recently amended? By what ordinance? Under what authority? LocalCode answers all three — with source documents, dates, and citation-ready references.
Amendment Risk
Know whether a code section was recently amended and what the previous version said. Critical for projects that predated the change.
Authority Confidence
Verify that the ordinance authorizing a restriction was properly enacted and traces back to valid statutory authority.
Audit-Grade Citations
Every chain element includes the source document, page number, and effective date — ready for legal briefs, opinions, and due diligence reports.
How We Compare
The Tools People Use. What They Don't Show.
| Feature | Municode | eCode360 | LocalCode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current code text | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Source document link | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adopting ordinance | — | — | ✓ |
| Full amendment history | — | — | ✓ |
| Enabling statute linkage | — | — | ✓ |
| Audit-grade traceability | — | — | ✓ |
Now Accepting Applications
See the Legislative Chain for Austin
Full Code Library and Legislative Chain coverage for Austin, Texas is available through the pilot program. Apply for access.
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