public notice

Definition of public notice

Further reading

Public notice is a notice given to the public regarding certain types of legal proceedings.

By government

Public notices are issued by a government agency or legislative body in certain rulemaking or lawmaking proceeding.

It is a requirement in most jurisdictions, in order to allow members of the public to make their opinions on proposals known before a rule or law is made.

For local government, public notice is often given by those seeking a liquor license, a rezoning or variance, or other minor approval which must be granted by a city council, county commission, or board of supervisors.

By private individuals or companies

Parties to some legal proceedings, such as foreclosures, probate, and estate actions are sometimes required to publish public notices.

In communications

Public notices are sometimes required when seeking a new broadcast license from a national broadcasting authority, or a change to modification to an existing license.

U.S. broadcast stations are required to give public notice on the air that they are seeking a license renewal from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), or that they are ending analog TV service early during the digital television transition in the United States. Records of these public notices must often be kept in a station's public file.

Method of notice

One method of notice is publication in a local newspaper. Public notice can also be given in other ways, including radio, television, and on the Internet. Some governments required publication in a newspaper, though there have been attempts among some politicians to eliminate the expense of publication by switching to electronic forms of notification.