According to municipal powers, what is the term for the limitation of a corporation's powers to those expressly granted?

The limitation of a corporation's powers to those expressly granted is referred to as Dillon's Rule. This legal principle originated from a ruling by Judge John Forrest Dillon in the late 19th century, which asserts that municipalities and local governments possess only those powers that are explicitly conferred by state law or are necessarily implied from those granted powers.

In practice, this means that if a municipality wants to enact an ordinance or take an action, it must ensure that it has clear authority to do so based on the enabling legislation from the state. This contrasts with concepts like Home Rule, where local governments can exercise a broader range of powers without needing specific grants from the state. Therefore, Dillon's Rule emphasizes a more restrictive framework for local governance, where the scope of municipal authority is tightly bound to what is specifically outlined in the state constitution or statutes.