The public can participate in an Austin City Council meeting in two ways: through general public communication or by speaking on specific agenda items.

General communication (Noon)

Time is set aside at noon at each regular council meeting for a maximum of 10 individuals to address the council on topics of their choice. A person who intends to speak at this time must register in advance with the City Clerk’s office.

How to register

Registration must include the meeting date, name, contact information, and whether you are speaking in person or remotely.

You may register online or by contacting the Office of the City Clerk by phone (512-974-2210). You may also register in person at the Office of the City Clerk, Suite 2030, City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street.

The registration period for a given meeting begins at 9 a.m., 21 days prior to the meeting, and ends at 4:30 p.m., 14 days prior to the meeting.

The 2025 General Public Communication Schedule includes registration dates and times.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of 10 speakers will be registered per meeting with their topics printed on the agenda. They will have three minutes to speak and may only speak at general communication once every three Regular Council meetings. Donation of time is not allowed.

Speaking on specific agenda items

Public comment on agenda items will be allowed both in-person and remotely (by telephone).

For all items on the consent agenda, public comment will begin at 10 a.m. Public hearings and all non-consent items will be heard after the consent agenda. For all zoning items, public comment will begin at 2 p.m. Additional time slots may be added as needed or at the request of Council.

If speaking remotely via cell phone, please ensure you are in a location with good reception. If you are using a wireless connection, please note your call may drop depending on the service.

Register Online (for in-person and remote speakers)

Information and links to the registration form will be available on the Council Meeting Information Center page when the registration window is open.

For regular council meetings, the online registration window will open at 10 a.m. on the Monday before the meeting and close at noon the day before the meeting. Special-called meetings may have a different registration window. 

  • The online registration form must be submitted by noon the day before the meeting.
  • Registration for remote speakers is not available after the online form closes.
  • Those speaking remotely will receive an email following the close of the registration period that will provide instructions on speaking at the meeting. The number listed on the registration form is the number that will be utilized to connect the speaker to the meeting.
  • A speaker may not use the donated time of more than two other in-person registered speakers on an agenda item or at a public hearing.

Register at City Hall (for in-person speakers only)

  • There are several speaker registration kiosks located in the atrium at City Hall that are accessible during regular business hours.
  • Registration window opens shortly after noon on the day before the regular meeting.
  • Registration closes 45 minutes before the meeting is scheduled to begin.

Policies and Procedures

  • Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in-person or remotely.
  • Speakers may not pull items from the consent agenda.
  • Speakers may donate time to other speakers.
  • Speakers physically present in the meeting or work session and who have registered to speak may donate speaking time on an agenda item to another in-person speaker. Speakers may not use the donated time of more than two other in-person registered speakers on an agenda item or at a public hearing.
  • Speakers shall coordinate donation of time with City Clerk staff before the item is called up for testimony. Allotted speaking time will be no less than 2 minutes per item and may be increased if time is donated to a speaker or if an interpreter is needed.
  • Requests for language translation/interpretation services or sign language services must be emailed at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to City.Clerk@austintexas.gov.
  • Handouts or other documents that speakers wish to provide for Council must be emailed by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting to City.Clerk@austintexas.gov. This information will be provided to Mayor and Council in advance of the meeting.
  • Meeting agendas may be accessed in the Council Meeting Information Center.