"An instrument by which a governmental entity (such as a city or state) grants rights, liberties, or powers to its citizens.
municipal charter . A charter by which a municipality is constituted.
"Municipal Charters.-The charter issued to a municipality is in the nature of a constitution to it, being superior to all ordinances enacted by that municipality, though inferior in rank to all State laws of every kind." Frank Hall Childs, Where and How to find the Law 8 (1922)"
City Charter 