We’ve all been there: Your city council or county commission is taking up a hot issue and you’re ready to speak your mind to your elected officials. The meeting is packed; plenty of folks are geared up to have their say. But do you know the rules governing public comment for your particular city? Your county? You should. Let us help you prepare for that next important meeting so you’ll make the most of your time.
>> LEARN MORE: See the public commenting rules for City of Atlanta | Clayton | Cobb | DeKalb | Fulton
Here are the particulars regarding public comment for Gwinnett County and the various cities within it. For more information, please click on the links below to visit that government’s website.
- Gwinnett County Commission -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting. There is no total time limit; three to five minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
- Auburn -- Public comment is allowed at the beginning and the end of the meeting. 20 minutes total (10 at the beginning; 10 at the end) allowed with two minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). The first comment period is for items on the agenda; the second is open. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
- Berkeley Lake -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting and in response to agenda items. There is no total time limit; two minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). Comments on agenda items must be related to those items; there is no limit on times at the end of the meeting. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
- Braselton -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit; two minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). People can't speak on zoning requests if a public hearing hasn't been scheduled. Speakers can fill out a card before or after they speak.
- Buford -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting. There is no total time limit (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
- Dacula -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting. There is no total time limit; 10 minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers are asked to sign in in advance, but are not prohibited from speaking if they do not.
- Duluth -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting. There is no total time limit (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. The city prefers that speakers sign up in advance to comment, but does not require it.
- Grayson -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. 30 minutes total time limit; three minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). People can speak on topics of safety and concern for residents. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
- Lawrenceville -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit; two minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers are asked to contact the city clerk before the meeting; there are no comment cards.
- Lilburn -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit, but council can set one; three minutes allotted to each speaker, but council can reduce the time (see website for details). People are asked to speak only on items they have previously discussed with staff. People are asked to talk to staff ahead of the meeting; a meeting may be scheduled to address their concerns instead of allowing them to speak during public comment.
- Loganville -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting. There is no total time limit; one minute allotted to each speaker, but mayor and council can allow additional time (see website for details). Speakers must only address topics that directly relate to Loganville. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
- Norcross -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit; five minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. People who want to speak must submit their name and topic three business days before the meeting, but the stipulation is not enforced.
- Peachtree Corners -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit; three minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers are asked to fill out cards in advance, but the mayor invites anyone else up who wants to comment once those have been exhausted.
- Rest Haven -- N/A
- Snellville -- Public comment is allowed at the end of the meeting. There is no total time limit; five minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers are asked to sign up in advance, but can also sign up after they speak.
- Sugar Hill -- Public comment is allowed at the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit; 10 minutes allotted to each speaker (see website for details). No limits on what speakers may address. Speakers are asked to state their name and address.
- Suwanee -- Public comment is allowed toward the start of the meeting. There is no total time limit (see website for details). Speakers cannot address public hearing topics. Speakers not required to sign up in advance.
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