What term describes the organizing document that authorizes a local government to exist?

The term "charter" specifically refers to the organizing document that grants a local government its authority to exist and operate. Charters are fundamental to the establishment of local governments, such as cities or towns, as they outline the governmental structure, powers, and responsibilities. They serve as a legal foundation that delineates the relationships between the local government and its residents, and also specify the rights and duties of the governing body.

Additionally, charters often provide for the processes of governance, such as how officials are elected, the powers granted to different branches of government, and the procedures for adopting ordinances or regulations. This comprehensive nature of a charter makes it distinct in the realm of local government organization compared to bylaws, ordinances, and statutes, which tend to be more focused on specific rules, regulations, or laws rather than the overarching framework for governance itself.

Bylaws are rules that govern the internal management of an organization, ordinances are local laws typically enacted by a municipal authority, and statutes are laws enacted by a legislative body at the state or federal level. Each serves a different purpose, reinforcing why "charter" is the appropriate term to describe the foundational document of a local government's authority.