As used in these Codified Ordinances:
(a) "Ordinance" means a rule established by authority; a permanent rule of action; a law. In its most common meaning, the term is used to designate the enactments of the legislative body of a municipal corporation. It designates a local law of a municipal corporation, duly enacted by the proper authorities, prescribing general, uniform and permanent rules of conduct relating to the corporate affairs of the municipality. An ordinance is the equivalent of a municipal statute, passed by the legislative authority and governing matters not already covered by Federal or State law. Ordinances commonly govern zoning, building, safety, etc., matters of a municipality.
(b) "Resolution" means a formal expression of the opinion or will of an official body or a public assembly, adopted by vote as a legislative resolution. Such may be either a simple, joint or concurrent resolution.
The term is usually employed to denote the adoption of a motion, the subject matter of which would not properly constitute a statute or such as a mere expression of opinion; an alteration of the rules; a vote of thanks or of censure, etc.
The chief distinction between a "resolution" and an "ordinance" is that the former is used whenever the legislative body passing it wishes merely to express an opinion as to some given matter or thing and is only to have a temporary effect on such particular thing, while by an ordinance is intended to permanently direct and control matters applying to persons or things in general. An ordinance is legislative; a resolution is ministerial. An ordinance establishes a more permanent influence on the community than a resolution does. It is a permanent rule of conduct; a resolution is a temporary mode of action, special in character.