Landesgebührenordnung

The Landesgebührenordnung, often abbreviated as LGO, is a legal framework within a German federal state (Land) that regulates the fees and charges for services rendered by public authorities. These ordinances specify the amounts payable for a wide range of administrative acts, such as issuing permits, certifications, registrations, and other official documents. The purpose of the LGO is to ensure that the costs incurred by the state in providing these services are appropriately covered by the individuals or entities receiving them.

The structure and specific provisions of a Landesgebührenordnung vary from one federal state to another. However, they generally include principles for fee calculation, lists of chargeable services with corresponding fee schedules, and provisions for exemptions or reductions in certain circumstances. The fees are typically determined based on factors like the complexity of the service, the time and resources required, and the administrative effort involved. Citizens and businesses are generally expected to pay these fees when interacting with public administration for specific services. The LGO aims to balance the state's need to recover costs with the principle of fair access to public services.