Austin City Council meetings are open to public comment. You can talk about something that is not on the agenda, or you can speak about a specific item the Council is voting on. This guide covers the City of Austin’s process. Other cities, including Round Rock, Georgetown and Hutto, have their own rules.

Option 1: General communication (noon)

This is for topics that are not on the agenda.

• Up to 10 speakers per regular meeting, three minutes each.
• You can speak once every three regular Council meetings. Time cannot be donated.
• You must register in advance with the City Clerk’s Office. You can do it online, by phone at 512-974-2210, or in person at Suite 2030 in City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street.
• Registration opens at 9 a.m. 21 days before the meeting and closes at 4:30 p.m. 14 days before. The City publishes a General Public Communication Schedule with the dates.
• Your registration needs the meeting date, your name, contact information, and whether you will speak in person or remotely.

Option 2: Speak on an agenda item

You can speak in person or by phone on an item the Council is considering.

• Online registration opens at 10 a.m. on the Monday before a regular meeting and closes at noon the day before. Remote speakers get an email with instructions after registration closes.
• In-person registration at City Hall uses kiosks in the atrium. It opens shortly after noon the day before and closes 45 minutes before the meeting starts.
• Consent agenda comment begins at 10 a.m. Public hearings and other items follow. Zoning items begin at 2 p.m.
• Each speaker gets at least two minutes per item, and you can register to speak on an item once. In-person speakers can receive donated time from up to two other in-person speakers. Coordinate that with Clerk staff before the item is called.
• If you speak remotely, find a spot with good cell reception. Wireless calls can drop.

Prefer to write?

You can email handouts or documents to city.clerk@austintexas.gov by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting. They go to the Mayor and Council in advance.

Need an interpreter?

You can request language interpretation or sign language services. Email city.clerk@austintexas.gov at least 48 hours before the meeting.

A few tips

• Check the agenda first, so you know which item you are speaking on.
• Lead with your point. Two or three minutes goes fast.
• Say who you are and where you live, then what you want the Council to do.
• Questions? Call the City Clerk at 512-974-2210.