Norwegian municipalities (kommuner) constitute the second and most local level of government administration, with 356 such divisions across the country. Municipalities hold significant autonomy in Norwegian governance, responsible for delivering essential public services including primary and lower secondary education, primary healthcare, social services, child welfare, local planning and zoning, infrastructure maintenance, and water and sewage systems. Each municipality is governed by a directly elected municipal council that makes local policy decisions and approves budgets. The municipalities receive funding through a combination of local taxes, state grants, and user fees, allowing them to adapt services to local needs while maintaining national standards. This decentralized structure reflects Norway's tradition of local self-governance, where municipalities serve as the primary point of contact between citizens and the public sector for most day-to-day services.