A code-of-ordinances platform is essential public information, but it is often treated as a footer link. That makes residents guess where to look when they want to understand a parking rule, a business requirement, a zoning standard, or a local regulation.
Give the ordinance library a clear home
Use plain language in the website navigation: “Code of Ordinances,” “Municipal Code,” or “Laws & Ordinances.” Add a short explanation of what the destination contains and make clear when the user will be taken to an external platform. The link should open in a new tab when keeping the municipal site available helps the resident continue their broader task.
Link from related services, not just one directory page
Someone applying for a business license or researching a short-term rental may not think to start in the code library. A service page can link directly to the relevant ordinance area while still making the full code available for context. The surrounding text should say what the reader will find, not merely send them away with a generic “learn more.”
- Keep the main code link visible in government or resident-services navigation.
- Use direct, descriptive links from permitting, planning, zoning, and business pages when appropriate.
- Review links after a vendor migration or domain change.
- Explain who to contact when a resident needs interpretation rather than the text alone.
The goal is not to recreate the municipal code inside WordPress. It is to make the official resource easy to find and make the handoff feel intentional instead of abrupt.