Life on your own private Animal Crossing: New Horizons island can be idyllic, but keeping things running smoothly takes work. That's where ordinances come in! These optional rules allow you to set some ground rules that make daily island life flow a bit easier. Read on to learn how ordinances function, which ones are available, and how to enable them for your island.
What Are Ordinances in Animal Crossing New Horizons?
Ordinances are essentially island laws implemented by the player acting in the role of island representative. After you progress far enough into the game to gain the ability to enact ordinances, you can talk to Isabelle about creating an ordinance to change the way your island functions.
Each ordinance applies a passive effect that shapes certain elements of gameplay. For example, some ordinances might cause shops to open earlier or later, adjust the availability of certain bugs and fish, or make your villagers more likely to do certain activities. The effects apply island-wide and persist until you ask Isabelle to change or remove the ordinance.
How to Set and Change Ordinances
You unlock the ability to enact ordinances after your ACNH Island Designs gains a 3-star rating and K.K. Slider visits for his first concert. Starting the next day, ordinances become available.
To set an ordinance:
- Talk to Isabelle in the Resident Services building
- Select "Discuss island evals"
- Select "Let's talk ordinances"
- Choose the ordinance you want to enact
This will immediately put the ordinance into effect. To change or remove the active ordinance, simply repeat the process and select a different option.
Note that enacting a new ordinance costs 20,000 ACNH bells. Removing an existing ordinance is free, however.
Available Ordinances
These are the ordinances that you can choose from in Animal Crossing New Horizons:
Early Bird Ordinance
- Shops open and villagers wake up earlier (6 AM instead of 8 AM)
- Best for players in time zones with early mornings
- Makes more daylight hours available for playtime
Night Owl Ordinance
- Shops stay open and villagers stay awake later (closes at 11 PM instead of 10 PM)
- Best for night owls in later time zones
- Gives more evening gameplay hours
Bell Boom Ordinance
- Prices at Nook's Cranny fluctuate more favorably
- Sell prices for ACNH items and turnip spikes may be higher
- Helps you earn more ACNH bells from selling
Beautiful Island Ordinance
- Flowers and trees less likely to wilt or die
- Best for maintaining a decorative landscape
- Lowers weed growth and likelihood of cockroaches in homes
Wealthy Town Ordinance
- Increases chance of money rocks with more Animal Crossing bells
- villagers will "find" more dropped ACNH 2.0 Items For Sale to return to you
- Helps you earn ACNH bells from money rocks and returned lost items
Early to Bed Ordinance
- Villagers more likely to stay home and sleep at night
- Best for keeping villagers out of your late night hair
- Fewer interrupted bug catching and fishing attempts
Fitness Day Ordinance
- Villagers more likely to do yoga, exercises, and other fitness activities
- Best for increased villager interaction and seeing new behaviors
- Villagers energized and more likely to run around
Nightlife Ordinance
- Villagers more likely to stay up late and sing in plaza
- Best for increased nighttime villager interactions
- Villagers up late and having fun around the island
No Ordinance
- Removes any active ordinances
- Returns all shops and villager behaviors to normal schedules
- Use this to take a break and reset island life
Choose the Ordinances That Fit Your Play Style
The flexibility of ordinances makes them a powerful island customization tool. You can enable ordinances to match your real-world schedule, tailor your experience for earning Animal Crossing bells, or influence villager behaviors.
Early risers can get a head start on the day with early hours from the Early Bird ordinance. Night players can extend productive gameplay with the Night Owl option. Bell-focused islands benefit from the Bell Boom and Wealthy Town combo.
You can change ordinances anytime to try different effects. So don't be afraid to experiment until you find the right enhancements for your island and play style!
With ordinances, you have the power to fine-tune your island utopia. Now get out there, set those ordinances, and unlock the full potential of your Animal Crossing: New Horizons paradise!
