Types of Localities

Question 1

What are the two types of local governments?

Answer 1

1. Counties
2. Cities and Towns

Question 2

What does the term “locality” include?

Answer 2

Cities, towns, and counties

Question 3

What are “municipal corporations?”

Answer 3

Cities and towns but not counties

Question 4

What is a “county?”

Answer 4

Unincorporated governmental districts of the Commonwealth created for the convenience of the sovereign
* Viewed as units of the state government

Question 5

What do cities, towns, and other municipal corporations share?

Answer 5

They are all corporations created to serve the interests and needs of particular populated areas

Question 6

What is a city and how is it created?

Answer 6

A city is a community within a defined boundary, with a population of 5,000 or more, incorporated by a charter approved by the legislature
* Completely independent of counties

Question 7

What is a town and how is it created?

Answer 7

Towns are more limited incorporated communities within a defined boundary having a population of 1,000 or more
* NOT independent of counties–residents subject to county taxes/ordinances

Question 8

What is a service authority/other quasi-municipal corporation?

Answer 8

Created for defined purposes (e.g., publicly controlled sanatary districts)
* Each entity must be created by the General Assembly