Laws & Regulations
The legal framework of the United States spans federal statutes, executive orders, agency regulations, and state and local codes.
Browse by Category
Explore laws at every level of government — federal, state, and local.
Federal Laws
0The U.S. Constitution, U.S. Code, and the Code of Federal Regulations — the supreme law of the land.
ExploreExecutive Orders
0Presidential directives that manage operations of the federal executive branch.
ExploreState Laws
Constitutions, statutes, and administrative codes for all 50 states — browse by state.
ExploreHow Laws Work
The United States operates under a layered legal system. Federal law is supreme, but states and localities retain broad authority to govern within their own jurisdictions.
Federal Law
Federal law applies to all 50 states and U.S. territories. Under the Supremacy Clause, federal law overrides any conflicting state or local law.
- U.S. Constitution — the supreme law of the land
- U.S. Code — statutes passed by Congress
- CFR — rules issued by federal agencies
- Executive Orders — presidential directives
State Law
States have their own constitutions, legislatures, and courts. State law governs most areas of everyday life — contracts, property, family law, and most crimes.
- State Constitution — each state's foundational law
- State Statutes — laws passed by state legislatures
- Administrative Code — rules from state agencies
- Governor's Orders — executive orders at state level
Local Law
Counties, cities, and towns enact ordinances and municipal codes that govern local matters — zoning, business licenses, noise ordinances, and more.
- City Ordinances — laws passed by city councils
- Municipal Code — compiled local laws
- County Regulations — county-level rules
- Zoning Codes — land use and planning rules
The Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the U.S. Constitution establishes that federal law is "the supreme Law of the Land." When federal and state laws conflict, federal law prevails — a principle known as federal preemption. State law, in turn, overrides conflicting local ordinances within that state.