Estonian municipalities

Local governments in Estonia are of two types: cities ( Est. Linn ) and volosts ( Est. Vald ).

Each self-government has a representative body called the assembly ( est. Volikogu ), which is elected by the permanent residents of the self-government for a four-year period in the course of free, direct, general and uniform elections by secret ballot. A characteristic feature of local elections in Estonia compared to parliamentary elections is that the right to vote on them does not depend on Estonian citizenship, but on the fact of permanent residence in the municipality. All permanent residents of a given local government who have reached 16 years of age (including stateless persons and citizens of other states) have the right to participate in voting. However, only Estonian citizens or citizens of any other country within the European Union can stand for election. Personnel may not be elected, as well as persons convicted by a court for committing a crime and in prison (the latter may not also take part in voting).

The number of members of the local assembly varies depending on the number of inhabitants. Tallinn City Council has 79 members (maximum). The minimum number of members of the meeting is 7 people. The management of the work of the local assembly is carried out by the chairman ( est. Volikogu esimees ), who holds meetings, carries out representative functions and signs the normative acts adopted by the council.

Along with the assembly, in each local government there is also an executive authority - the government ( est. Valitsus ). The head of the council is either the mayor ( Est. Linnapea ) - in the cities, or the rural elder ( est. Vallavanem ) - in the volosts, which are appointed by the meeting for up to four years (early dismissal is possible by decision of the meeting). The head of the council represents the municipality meeting for approval of candidates for the posts of members of the council, organizes the work of the council, prepares and conducts its meetings, issues orders for organizing the work of the council and its subordinate bodies and institutions, signs orders and resolutions of the council, and also performs representative functions. Mayors and parish elders cannot simultaneously hold any other state or municipal post or be members of the council of a commercial company with municipal participation.

A municipality may include one or more settlements . Large municipalities can be subdivided into urban ( est. Linnaosa ) or rural districts ( est. Osavald ), which have their own councils with limited powers. The head of the council of such a district is appointed and dismissed by the council of the municipality on the proposal of the mayor or the rural elder. Thus, the city of Tallinn consists of 8 urban areas: Haabersti , Kesklinn , Kristiine , Lasnamäe , Mustamäe , Nõmme , Pirita , Pyhja-Tallinn .

Municipalities vary in size from Tallinn with more than 400,000 people to Ruhnu with just 60 inhabitants. Over 80% of local governments have a population of less than 5,000 people; therefore, many of them collaborate in order to perform economic and administrative functions.

Administrative Territorial Reform 2017

In 2016, the Bill on Administrative Reform ^[1] was adopted in the Riigikogu , establishing a minimum self-government of 5,000 people, with the possibility of exceptions, and recommending the formation of self-governments with a minimum population of at least 11,000 people. The reform takes place in two stages and should be fully completed on October 1, 2018 ^[2] . As a result of the reform, 79 municipalities will remain in Estonia ^[3] .

According to the constitution, local governments decide autonomously, within the framework of laws, all issues of local life. Their competencies include, in particular:

• organization of social assistance, social services, care for the elderly and youth work in the municipality;
• housing and communal services;
• water supply and sewerage, organization of cleaning and maintenance of cleanliness, garbage and waste removal;
• local public transport;
• urban planning (the establishment of general and detailed plans), maintenance in the order of roads.

The above powers are exercised to the extent that they are not transferred by law to other authorities.

The responsibilities of local governments include the maintenance of pre-school children's institutions, schools, gymnasiums, interest groups, libraries, museums, sports centers, charity houses and healthcare institutions, establishing rules for keeping domestic cats and dogs, and establishing rules of behavior in public places.

Local governments can form structures that exercise control over public order and the implementation of local government regulations (for example, the Tallinn municipal police ).

Municipalities in Estonia have their own budget and the right to set some local taxes and fees (for example, tax on advertising, on closing streets and roads, on pets, on entertainment venues and events, parking fees, etc.).

Representatives of local governments may also participate in the election of the President of the Republic as members of the electoral college.

According to the judicial practice of the State Court ^[4] , the principle of autonomy of municipalities from state power implies, first of all, the right to independently decide and organize at the local level all local issues (the so-called “right to self-organize local governments”). This, in particular, implies that local governments should be provided with sufficient funding for the performance of their functions, as well as the ability of members of local assemblies to make decisions independently, regardless of the central government, placing first and foremost the interests of the local community ( if necessary, even in conflict with public authorities). Based on the principle of local autonomy, the court annulled in 2005 the government’s earlier ban on creating local election unions ^[5] .

Estonian law also establishes a mechanism for protecting the autonomy of local governments - if, in the opinion of a municipality, any law or regulation of a minister or a government violates the constitutional guarantees of local self-government, then the municipality has the right to apply directly to the State Court for recognition of such act unconstitutional. ^[6] . The constitution also prohibits changing the boundaries of municipalities without first hearing the opinions of the respective municipality ^[7] .

Since October 2013, 215 municipalities have been operating in Estonia, of which 30 are municipal and 185 are rural. A list of municipalities by counties is given below:

Valgamaa

Cities:

  Valga ( est. Valga )

  Tõrva ( est. Tõrva )

Volosts:

  Karula ( est. Karula vald )

  Otepää ( est. Otepää vald ); including the city of Otepää ( est. Otepää )

  Palupera ( est. Palupera vald )

  Puka ( est. Puka vald )

  Pıdrala ( est. Põdrala vald )

  Sangaste ( Est. Sangaste vald )

  Taheva ( est. Taheva vald )

  Tõlliste ( est. Tõlliste vald )

  Helme ( est. Helme vald )

  Hummuli ( est. Hummuli vald )

  Ыru ( Est. Õru vald )

Viljandimaa

Cities:

  Viljandi ( est. Viljandi )

  Võhma ( est. Võhma )

  Myzaküla ( Est. Mõisaküla )

Volosts:

  Abya ( Est. Abja vald ); including the city of Abya Paluoja ( Est. Abja-Paluoja )

  Viljandi ( est. Viljandi vald )

  Karksi ( est. Karksi vald ); including the city of Karksi-Nuia ( est. Karksi-Nuia )

  Kolga-Jaani vald

  Kyo ( est. Kõo vald )

  Kõpu ( est. Kõpu vald )

  Suure-Jaani val ( Est. Suure-Jaani vald ); including the city of Suure-Jaani ( Est. Suure-Jaani )

  Tarvastu ( est. Tarvastu vald )

  Halliste ( est. Halliste vald )

Vorumaa

Cities:

  Voru ( est. Võru )

Volosts:

  Antsla ( est. Antsla vald ); including the city of Antsla ( est. Antsla )

  Varstu ( est. Varstu vald )

  Vastseliina ( est. Vastseliina vald )

  Voru ( est. Võru vald )

  Lasva ( est. Lasva vald )

  Meremäe ( est. Meremäe vald )

  Misso ( est. Misso vald )

  Myniste ( est. Mõniste vald )

  Rõuge ( est. Rõuge vald )

  Sımerpalu ( est. Sõmerpalu vald )

  Urvaste ( est. Urvaste vald )

  Haanja ( est. Haanja vald )

Ida-Virumaa

Cities:

  Kiviõli ( Est. Kiviõli )

  Kohtla-Järve ( Est. Kohtla-Järve )

  Narva ( est. Narva )

  Narva-Jõesuu ( Est. Narva-Jõesuu )

  Sillamäe ( Est. Sillamäe )

Volosts:

  Avinurme ( est. Avinurme vald )

  Azeri ( est. Aseri vald )

  Alaiye ( est. Alajõe vald )

  Vaivara ( est. Vaivara vald )

  Iizaku ( est. Iisaku vald )

  Illluka ( est. Illuka vald )

  Johvi ( est. Jõhvi vald ); including the city of Johvi ( est. Jõhvi )

  Kohtla ( Est.Kohtla vald )

  Kohtla-Nõmme ( Est. Kohtla-Nõmme )

  Lohusuu ( est. Lohusuu vald )

  Lüganuse ( est. Lüganuse vald ); including city   Püssi ( est. Püssi )

  Mäetaguse ( est. Mäetaguse vald )

  Sonda ( est. Sonda vald )

  Toila ( est. Toila vald )

  Tudulinna ( est. Tudulinna vald )

Jõgeva County

Cities:

  Jõgeva ( est. Jõgeva )

  Mustvee ( est. Mustvee )

  Põltsamaa ( Est. Põltsamaa )

Volosts:

  Jõgeva ( est. Jõgeva vald )

  Kasepää ( est. Kasepää vald )

  Pala ( est. Pala vald )

  Palamuse ( est. Palamuse vald )

  Pajusi ( est. Pajusi vald )

  Puurmani ( est. Puurmani vald )

  Põltsamaa ( est. Põltsamaa vald )

  Saare ( est. Saare vald )

  Tabivere ( Est. Tabivere vald )

  Torma ( est. Torma vald )

Lääne-Virumaa

Cities:

  Kunda ( est. Kunda )

  Rakvere ( est. Rakvere )

Volosts:

  Vinni ( est. Vinni vald )

  Viru-Nigula val ( Est. Viru-Nigula vald )

  Vihula ( est. Vihula vald )

  Väike-Maarja ( est. Väike-Maarja vald )

  Kadrina ( est. Kadrina vald )

  Laekvere ( est. Laekvere vald )

  Rakvere ( est. Rakvere vald )

  Rakke ( est. Rakke vald )

  Ragavere ( est. Rägavere vald )

  Simeru ( est. Sõmeru vald )

  Tamsalu ( est. Tamsalu vald ); including the city of Tamsalu ( est. Tamsalu )

  Tapa ( est. Tapa vald ); including city   Tapa ( Est. Tapa )

  Haljala ( est. Haljala vald )

Läänemaa

Cities:

  Haapsalu ( est. Haapsalu )

Volosts:

  Vormsi ( est. Vormsi vald )

  Kullamaa ( est. Kullamaa vald )

  Lihula ( est. Lihula vald ); including the city of Lihula ( est. Lihula )

  Lääne-Nigula vald

  Martna ( est. Martna vald )

  Noarootsi ( est. Noarootsi vald )

  Nyva ( est. Nõva vald )

  Ridala ( est. Ridala vald )

  Hanila ( est. Hanila vald )

Pylvamaa

Volosts:

  Ahya ( est. Ahja vald )

  Valgjärve ( est. Valgjärve vald )

  Vastse-Kuuste vald

  Veriora ( est. Veriora vald )

  Värska ( est. Värska vald )

  Kanepi ( est. Kanepi vald )

  Kõlleste ( est. Kõlleste vald )

  Laheda ( est. Laheda vald )

  Mikitamäe ( est. Mikitamäe vald )

  Mooste ( est. Mooste vald )

  Orava ( est. Orava vald )

  Põlva ( est. Põlva vald ); including city   Põlva ( est. Põlva )

  Räpina ( est. Räpina vald ); including the city of Räpina ( est. Räpina )

Pärnu County

Cities:

  Pärnu ( Est. Pärnu )

  Cindy ( Est. Sindi )

Volosts:

  Are ( est. Are vald )

  Audru ( est. Audru vald )

  Varbla ( est. Varbla vald )

  Vändra ( est. Vändra alev )

  Vändra (parish) ( Est.Vändra vald )

  Kihnu ( est. Kihnu vald )

  Koonga ( est. Koonga vald )

  Paikuse ( est. Paikuse vald )

  Saarde ( est. Saarde vald ); including city   Kilingi-Nõmme ( Est. Kilingi-Nõmme )

  Sauga ( est. Sauga vald )

  Surju ( est. Surju vald )

  Tahkuranna val .

  Tootsi ( est. Tootsi )

  Tori ( est. Tori vald )

  Tystamaa ( est. Tõstamaa vald )

  Halinga ( est. Halinga vald )

  Häädemeeste vald

Raplamaa

Volosts:

  Vigala ( est. Vigala vald )

  Kaiu ( est. Kaiu vald )

  Kehtna ( est. Kehtna vald )

  Kohila ( est. Kohila vald )

  Käru ( est. Käru vald )

  Märjamaa ( est. Märjamaa vald )

  Raikküla ( est. Raikküla vald )

  Rapla ( est. Rapla vald ); including the city of Rapla ( est. Rapla )

  Yuuuru ( est. Juuru vald )

  Järvakandi ( est. Järvakandi )

Saaremaa

Cities:

  Kuressaare ( Est. Kuressaare )

Volosts:

  Valjala ( est. Valjala vald )

  Kaarma ( est. Kaarma vald )

  Kihelkonna ( est. Kihelkonna vald )

  Kärla ( est. Kärla vald )

  Laimjala ( est. Laimjala vald )

  Lacy ( est. Leisi vald )

  Lumanda ( est. Lümanda vald )

  Mustjala ( est. Mustjala vald )

  Muhu ( est. Muhu vald )

  Orissaare ( Est. Orissaare vald )

  Pöide ( est. Pöide vald )

  Pihtla ( est. Pihtla vald )

  Ruhnu ( est. Ruhnu )

  Salme ( est. Salme vald )

  Torgu ( est. Torgu vald )

Tartumaa

Cities:

  Kallaste ( est. Kallaste )

  Tartu ( est. Tartu )

  Elva ( est. Elva )

Volosts:

  Alatskivi ( est. Alatskivi vald )

  Vara ( est. Vara vald )

  Võnnu ( est. Võnnu vald )

  Kambja ( est. Kambja vald )

  Konguta ( est. Konguta vald )

  Laeva ( est. Laeva vald )

  Luunja ( est. Luunja vald )

  Meeksi ( est. Meeksi vald )

  Mäksa ( est. Mäksa vald )

  Nyo ( est. Nõo vald )

  Peipsiääre val .

  Piirissaare ( est. Piirissaare vald )

  Puhja ( est. Puhja vald )

  Rannu ( est. Rannu vald )

  Ryngu ( est. Rõngu vald )

  Tartu ( est. Tartu vald )

  Tähtvere ( est. Tähtvere vald )

  Haaslava ( est. Haaslava vald )

  Ülenurme val ( est. Ülenurme vald )

Harju County

Cities:

  Keila ( Est. Keila )

  Loksa ( est. Loksa )

  Maardu ( est. Maardu )

  Paldiski ( est. Paldiski )

  Saue ( Est. Saue )

  Tallinn ( est. Tallinn )

Volosts:

  Aegviidu ( est. Aegviidu vald )

  Ania ( Est. Anija vald ); including city   Kehra ( est. Kehra )

  Vasalemma ( est. Vasalemma vald )

  Viimsi ( est. Viimsi vald )

  Jõelähtme vald

  Keila ( est. Keila vald )

  Kernu ( est. Kernu vald )

  Kiili val ( est. Kiili vald )

  Kose ( est. Kose vald )

  Kuusalu ( est. Kuusalu vald )

  Nissi ( est. Nissi vald )

  Padise ( est. Padise vald )

  Raaziku ( est. Raasiku vald )

  Rae ( est. Rae vald )

  Saku ( est. Saku vald )

  Saue ( Est. Saue vald )

  Harku ( est. Harku vald )

Hiiumaa

Volosts:

  Käina ( est. Käina vald )

  Pühalepa ( est. Pühalepa vald )

  Emmaste ( est. Emmaste vald )

  Hiyu ( est. Hiiu vald ); including city   Kärdla ( Est. Kärdla )

Järvamaa

Cities:

  Paide ( est. Paide )

Volosts:

  Järva ( est. Järva vald )

  Türi ( est. Türi vald ); including city   Türi ( est. Türi )

• Administrative division of Estonia
• Estonian settlements

• Local government reform publication of the Estonian Institute
• Local Government Reform Publication Institute of the Baltic Sciences
• Administrative division of Estonia Estonian language institute website