Which of the following statements is false regarding ordinances?

Ordinances are laws enacted by local governments, such as cities or counties, to govern various issues within their respective jurisdictions. They reflect the unique needs and circumstances of local communities, permitting localized governance.

The statement indicating that ordinances have a higher authority than federal laws is false. In the hierarchy of laws, federal law supersedes state and local laws, which means that local ordinances cannot conflict with federal law. If an ordinance were to contradict federal law, the federal law would prevail due to the supremacy clause found in the U.S. Constitution.

In contrast, ordinances being a type of administrative law is accurate, as they are created by local administrative bodies. Their enactment by local governments is also a fundamental characteristic, as they are tailored to address local matters. Lastly, ordinances indeed apply to specific areas within a jurisdiction, identifying a clear and limited scope of their authority, which distinguishes them from broader legislative acts.