Local Government in California

California's 58 counties don't share one structure: each is either a "general law" county following the state's default Board of Supervisors model, or one of 14 "charter" counties that have adopted a local charter, which can create a distinct elected or appointed county executive alongside the board. Most residents should start with their county's Board of Supervisors and its Clerk of the Board for meetings and general records; some larger charter counties also have a separate chief executive office. Because structure varies by county, it's worth checking the specific county's own site.

Most states use one county government structure statewide; California instead lets each county choose between a standard board-of-supervisors model and a locally adopted charter that can include a distinct elected executive, so the exact structure depends on which county you're in.

Local government in California

• County governments57

  The main local government across most of the state.

  Browse county pagesarrow_forward
• Cities, towns & villages482

  Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.

  Browse city & town pagesarrow_forward
• School districts1,006

  Independent school districts, plus 55 school systems run by a county, city, or town government. Listed on county pages where known.

• Special districts2,935

  Single-purpose governments — fire, water, library, parks, housing, transit, and more.

Counts: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Units listing. A consolidated city-county is counted once.