Local self-government is one of the most important forms of activation inhabitants of the units of territorial self-government unit. These people in fact take part in running their own affairs – indirectly, through their chosen authorities, or directly through a referendum – it impacts on specific matters that for the residents of the local self-government are particularly important. This article discusses the provisions concerning local referendum contained in the Polish Constitution and the law on local referendum. On the asis of the data contained in the Local Data Bank CSO examined whether the local self-government units often carried out referendums of this type, or otherwise. For this purpose, collected and presented information on referenda, which were carried out: on the appeal of the municipal council, district council and the regional council of the region, on appeal the mayor (mayor, city president), on self-taxation of residents of the municipality and the matters of others.