What are the municipalities responsible for?
Für was sind die Gemeinden zuständig?
Correct answer: C
- A for organising private birthday partiesfür die Organisation von privaten Geburtstagsfesten
- B for foreign policyfür die Aussenpolitik
- C for local spatial planningfür die lokale Raumplanung
- D for the militaryfür das Militär
Why
In its spatial planning, the municipality decides where you may build and where you may not.
Common mistakes
- B: for foreign policy
- Foreign policy is a matter for the Confederation.
- D: for the military
- The military is a matter for the Confederation.
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.
Canton and municipality of Zurich
Municipalities and the city of Zurich
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 121 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.