Mastering Animal Crossing: New Horizons Ordinances for Your Ideal Island Setup

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, ordinances are a familiar feature for veterans of the series, but newcomers will find plenty to discover. There are four distinct Island Ordinances you can implement, each designed to enhance daily life on your island according to your preferences.

Whether you want shops to open earlier or encourage more flowers to bloom, this guide covers everything you need to know about the ordinances. It’s definitely worth exploring what each ordinance offers before making a decision.

To manage your ordinances, visit Isabelle at Residential Services. Take a seat on the stool, select ‘Review island features,’ and then ‘Discuss ordinances’ to view your options.

Keep in mind that ordinances come with a cost. You’ll need to pay 20,000 bells for what Isabelle refers to as a collaboration and filing fee, which we all know will mostly end up in Tom Nook’s pocket. Additionally, you can only have one ordinance active at a time, so choose wisely. If you decide to cancel one, you’ll have to wait until the next day for the change to take effect.

Here’s a quick overview of what each ordinance does:

The Beautiful Island ordinance is a game-changer. It encourages your villagers to pitch in with tasks like weeding, watering flowers, and cleaning up trash. No longer will you be the only one working while your villagers lounge around reading or inspecting flowers. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to cultivate hybrid flowers.

The next two ordinances cater to your real-life schedule. If you tend to play in the morning before work, the Early Bird Ordinance will have your village buzzing with activity earlier in the day, and shops will open significantly sooner. However, closing times remain unchanged.

On the flip side, the Night Owl Ordinance allows your shops to stay open later, giving your villagers a chance to sleep in and enjoy a more vibrant nightlife. This is perfect for those who prefer to play during the evening and have been frustrated by early shop closures.

Lastly, the Bell Boom ordinance is ideal for those with a wealth of items to sell. While the prices of goods will increase when buying, so will the selling prices. If you find yourself with a stash of valuable bugs, like tarantulas, activating the Bell Boom Ordinance the next day can maximize your profits.