Beyond that rule, however, is a further limitation. Not only do municipal actions have to comply with these statutes and the Alabama Constitution, under the Dillon rule, there must be legislative authority for the municipality to take the specific action in question. So, when a potential candidate decides that some action needs to be taken, he or she must examine the laws to ensure that the municipality has the power to act in the way desired. If not, the municipal official may first have to obtain legislative authority, which may require the adoption of a constitutional amendment. The Extent of Municipal Power Municipalities are established by incorporation through the procedures set out in the Code.
Municipalities grow through annexations.
The methods of annexing property are also provided for in the Code. Municipalities are divided into cities and towns on the basis of population. If the municipality has less than 2,000 citizens, it is a town. Once the population reaches 2,000, however, the municipality is defined as a city. Legislative powers affect the public generally.