Canton and municipality of Zurich · Municipalities and the city of Zurich
Tasks of the municipality
Topic
The municipalities are the lowest of the three political levels. For people they are often the first point of contact. They carry out many tasks for which neither the Confederation nor the canton is responsible. Each municipality decides itself in its municipal code (Gemeindeordnung) how it is organised. The municipality is close to the people and knows the local situation.
Important tasks of the municipality are: organising kindergarten and primary school, water and waste water, waste, municipal roads and local spatial planning. Spatial planning means: the municipality decides where people may live, work or not build. That is why the municipality also grants the building permit, for example for a detached house.
The municipality runs the residents' registration office (Einwohnerkontrolle). All residents are registered there. Anyone who moves must deregister in the old municipality and register in the new municipality. Motorways, the military, foreign policy and monetary policy, on the other hand, are tasks of the Confederation. Universities of applied sciences are a matter for the canton.
Memory aid: Moving? Go to the municipality first!
Key terms
- Einwohnerkontrolle
- Residents' registration office: municipal office where you register and deregister, for example when you move.
- Baubewilligung
- Building permit: permission from the municipality to build or convert a building.
- Raumplanung
- Spatial planning: planning how land is used: where homes, companies or green spaces go.
Exam questions on this topic
- What is a task of Zurich municipalities?Correct answer: D, They organise primary school.
- Who grants the building permit for a detached house in the canton of Zurich?Correct answer: B, the municipality
- What are the municipalities responsible for?Correct answer: C, for local spatial planning
- What is the municipality responsible for?Correct answer: D, Residents' registration office
- Where must you register when you move?Correct answer: D, with the municipality (residents' registration office)