Service content
Description of the
The citizens' petition is an instrument of direct democracy at municipal level. With the help of a citizens' petition, citizens of a municipality can oblige the responsible municipal body (municipal council, committee, first mayor) or citizens of a district can oblige the responsible district body to deal with a specific matter at a meeting.
Prerequisites
A citizens’ petition must relate to municipal matters at the municipal level and to district matters at the district level. It must not concern a matter for which a citizens’ petition has already been submitted within one year prior to the submission of the petition.
A citizens’ petition at the municipal level must be signed by at least 1% of the municipality’s residents. Only residents of the municipality are entitled to sign. The citizens’ petition must be submitted to the local authority together with a statement of reasons. In addition, up to three persons must be named who are authorised to represent the signatories. The same applies at district level.
If there are no legal objections to the citizens’ petition, the competent local authority or district body shall determine its admissibility. It must then deal with the citizens’ petition.Deadlines
The municipal or district authority responsible for dealing with the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens’ petition within one month of its submission.
If the petition is found to be admissible, the competent municipal authority – or, at district level, the district authority – must deal with it within three months.Legal basis
- Art. 18b Municipal Code for the Free State of Bavaria (Municipal Code - GO)
Citizens' application
- Art. 12b County Code for the Free State of Bavaria (County Code - LKrO)
Citizens' application
- Art. 18b Municipal Code for the Free State of Bavaria (Municipal Code - GO)
Legal remedy
Administrative court action (prevailing opinion)Processing time
The municipal or district authority responsible for dealing with the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens' petition within one month of the petition being submitted.
Once the admissibility of the citizens' petition has been established, it must be dealt with within three months by the competent municipal body or, at district level, the district body.