The City of Laguna Woods is a general law city with a council-manager form of government, meaning that it operates within the parameters of California municipal law with an elected City Council as its legislative body. The City Council appoints a City Manager who serves as the City of Laguna Woods’ chief executive officer and a City Attorney who serves as the City of Laguna Woods’ primary legal counsel.

The five members of the City Council are residents of Laguna Woods who are elected by registered voters to four-year terms. Elections occur “at-large” (citywide) in even-numbered years with two and then three members of the City Council elected at subsequent elections. All five offices are nonpartisan.

The City Council appoints a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from amongst its membership to preside over City Council meetings, execute certain legal instruments and authorizations, and attend to various ceremonial and representative matters. The Mayor Pro Tem serves as the Mayor in their absence.