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Municipal coats of arms and flags; application for use
If you wish to use the coat of arms or the flag of a municipality, county or district, you must first apply for permission from the municipality concerned.
Responsible for you
For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Procedure details
Description
The coats of arms and flags may only be used by third parties with the permission of the respective municipality, district or county.
Permission will only be granted if there is no reason to fear that this could lead to an infringement of the Unfair Competition Act (UWG).
Municipalities may approve the use of their coat of arms by political parties or voter groups, subject to the principle of equality. In doing so, they must ensure that the parties or voter groups do not give the impression of being functionally or institutionally associated with holders of sovereign power through the way in which the municipal coat of arms is used.
The use of the coat of arms of a municipality in a modified or stylized form, which could lead to confusion with the coat of arms of a municipality, is also not permitted without approval.
Permission is also required, for example, for the extraction of a copy from a website.
Requirements
New or modified coats of arms and flags must meet the heraldic requirements and be sufficiently distinguishable from other coats of arms and flags. Coats of arms must have a relationship to the respective municipality, county or district according to their content. They should be as memorable as possible and so simple that they still appear clear even when reduced in size in the official seal.
Permission to use municipal coats of arms and flags by third parties shall only be granted if there is no reason to fear that this will encourage a breach of the law against unfair competition.
Proceedings
Apply for the use of the coat of arms to the administration of the municipality whose coat of arms you wish to use. The local authority will decide on the application and inform you of its decision.
Permission is granted for a limited period and is revocable. It may be subject to conditions, in particular regarding the type and form of use.
Fees
One-off or ongoing fees may be charged for the use of the coat of arms or the flag for commercial purposes. The respective municipality, county or district shall decide on the amount of an appropriate fee or charge.
Deadlines
Permission must be requested before the coat of arms or flag is used.
Special notes
Local authorities can regulate the use of coats of arms, including their approval, by means of statutes or guidelines. Here, the use of a coat of arms without approval can be regulated as an administrative offense with a fine.
Appeal
Legal action before the ordinary courts or the administrative courts (depending on whether the authorization to use municipal coats of arms and flags is granted under civil or public law)
Related issues
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National coat of arms; application for authorization to use itThe use of the large and small Bavarian coat of arms for non-official purposes must be approved.
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Coats of arms and emblems of municipalities; notification of change or adoption
Municipalities that adopt or change coats of arms or flags must inform the Directorate General of the Bavarian State Archives and the Bavarian Central Mint Office.
Status: 21.01.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
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