Two options for maintaning your municipal code, which is right for you?

Codification refers to the process of arranging Codes of Ordinances in a logical and organized manner. For almost all municipalities,  this means having your Code housed in hard copies. Municode started 65 years ago by offering this service and continues to this day. We have also transformed how municipalities codify with an industry-leading innovation known as Self-Publishing Software (SPS). SPS allows municipalities to codify in-house as opposed to the traditional method. Municode is the only company to offer both solutions to fit whatever your local government may need. If you are unsure of which one is right for you, here is some important information to know about each one. 

Municode's traditional codification services are at the heart of what we do and have innovated over the past 7 decades. This process typically starts with one of our Code Attorneys reviewing your code and checking for errors, inconsistencies, and grammar as well as ensuring it conforms to state law. From there, it is arranged logically. Supplements can then happen in a timely manner. You will also have one point of contact with one of our highly experienced proofreaders or legal editors. This ensures that an expert on your state and municipality's law is readily available. Traditional codification is best for those who want a hands-off approach to their Code of Ordinances. You will still handle the drafting and editing of ordnances internally while Municode would handle the review and binding of the books. This means that if a change should be made, no matter how small, it would still need to be done through Municode. 

Our other option for Codification, Self-Publishing Software, puts the codification process into your municipality's hands. While this sounds like too much to handle, SPS was made with ease of use in mind. You can draft and edit ordinances directly inside the platform, cutting down on paper. Voting, signing, scanning, and publishing also are done online, which streamlines the entire codification process. Municode provides free training to ensure you know the ins and outs of codifying on your own before you start to use it. Our team is also available for assistance as well. The pricing for SPS is a fixed annual subscription, regardless of how many ordinances and resolutions you adopt. On average, our SPS clients spend less than $2,800 annually. This option is best for those who want to handle the code themselves and publish changes instantly. The advantage of SPS is the ability to continually fine tune your Code of Ordinances without having to wait on someone else to update the changes. 

Both Traditional Codification and SPS allow for your Code to be available online via our Code Platform, fully equipped with transparent premium features. These features include an advanced search engine, code archive, code versioning, ordinance repository, and multiple code search. Each one allows your community to see how the code has changed over time and allowing for quick and precise retrieval of specific lines of code.

The difference between our two options lies in how much or how little codifying your staff wants to do. For local governments who do not regularly update their code, Traditional Codification would suit those entities better. Even though you are contracting us to handle it, you will still have control over you code. Those who want a more hands-on approach  to their code can choose Self-Publishing Software. Regardless, you will receive the same excellent support for each service. Our industry leading codification services can fit whatever your municipalities needs are, whether you want something traditional or advanced.