The Dobrich Municipal Council had decided that the local referendum should be held with the citizens answering the question: "Are you against the designation of areas for the construction of wind power plants in the municipality of Dobrich through the issuance of permits for the modification and approval of zoning plans by the Municipal Council and the Mayor?".

In his ruling, the regional governor declared the local council's decision unlawful on the grounds that a local referendum cannot "authorise or prohibit the construction of wind power plants" as this is a state policy under the Renewable Energy Sources Act. He also criticised the wording of the referendum question as unclear, imprecise and negatively formulated.

The decision to hold the referendum was initially taken at a special meeting of the Dobrich community, following several discussions in which local residents expressed their opposition to the wind farm project.