Baden-Wuerttemberg

GemO BW

Formally: Gemeindeordnung Baden-Württemberg

GemO BW §§34–37 (GBl. 2000 S. 581, BW-recht 2020-1); zuletzt geändert 2023

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 48/100 (moderate)
48/100

Sunshine Score

48/100
Weak
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 5 days, online posting required
Public Comment Not required
Closed Sessions 7 permitted categories
Minutes Required, online posting required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
5 days

Online posting: Required

The meeting must be called and the agenda published at least 5 days before an ordinary session (§34(1) GemO BW: 'mindestens fünf Tage'). Notice is made via the municipal notice board (Gemeindeblatt/Amtsblatt) and website. Additional items may be added with adequate notice. The Bürgermeister convenes meetings.

Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

No statutory right for members of the public to speak at Gemeinderatssitzungen under GemO BW. Some municipalities provide Einwohnerfragestunde by local Geschäftsordnung.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Allowed
Counts Toward Quorum
Yes
Public Remote Comment
Not allowed

Remote participation (Videokonferenz) permitted under §37a GemO BW (inserted 2020/2021). Each municipality's Geschäftsordnung sets conditions. Remote members count toward quorum.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Required

Content requirements: Niederschrift (minutes) must record items, decisions, and votes from open sessions (§38 GemO BW). Minutes of open sessions are public documents available for inspection; no specific statutory publication deadline.

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Standing to Sue
Any municipal resident may file a complaint with the Rechtsaufsichtsbehörde (Landratsamt for incorporated areas, Regierungspräsidium for larger cities). Judicial review available before Verwaltungsgericht. No direct individual appeal right for procedural violations by non-members.
Enforcement Body
Rechtsaufsichtsbehörde (Landratsamt; Regierungspräsidium)

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The specific rules for Baden-Wuerttemberg may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.