Ordinances may be used for a variety of purposes, including administrative actions such as establishing offices and setting salaries or they may be used for actions that control the conduct of the public. An ordinance is a legislative enactment, within its-sphere, as much as an act of the state legislature. Final passage occurs no earlier than at the next regular council meeting following introduction, except as otherwise provided in the City Charter. Ordinances usually become valid within ten days of final passage, and they are published in the City's official newspaper, the Bellingham Herald, within five days after becoming valid. Most ordinances take effect 15 days after the date of their final passage.
Most ordinances become part of the City's Municipal Code book.
The Council may amend or repeal an ordinance by adopting another ordinance. The Council may, on the other hand, pass a resolution which is typically an act that is less solemn or formal than an ordinance, and may be no more than an expression of the opinion of the official body. Legislation must be enacted via ordinances. Business is brought before the Council by motions, which constitute a formal procedure for taking actions. To make a motion, a member must first be recognized by the presiding officer.