A
by-law (sometimes also spelled
bylaw,
by law or
bye-law) is a rule or law established by an organization or community to regulate itself, as allowed or provided for by some higher authority. The higher authority, generally a legislature or some other government body, establishes the degree of control that the by-laws may exercise. By-laws may be established by entities such as a business
corporation, a
neighborhood association, or depending on the jurisdiction, a
municipality. In the United States,
bylaw is the preferred spelling.