A bylaw is necessary when legislation specifies that a) a municipality must have a bylaw; or b) a bylaw is required if/when a municipality wishes to take a certain action or offer a certain service (e.g. pay council members). Generally, bylaws are needed for matters that have a long‐term or broad impact on the public and when employing regulatory powers such as when making laws for your municipality (e.g. zoning, animal control, parking etc.).