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 and supervises a City Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the City and implementation of the City Council’s ordinances, regulations, and policy direction. The City Council also appoints a City Attorney to serve as the City’s 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 representative and ceremonial matters. The Mayor Pro Tem serves as the Mayor in their absence.