Local Wiki · State overview
Local Government in Florida
How local government works in Florida, the kinds of local government it has, and where to look for more. For your own county or city, browse Florida’s Local Wiki pages below.
Florida's 67 counties split between two tracks: 47 "non-charter" counties use the standard model — an elected Board of County Commissioners with combined legislative and executive power, typically aided by an appointed administrator — while 20 "charter" counties (including several of the state's largest, e.g. Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange) have adopted local charters that can create a separately elected county mayor or other custom structure. For a meeting, start with the county's Board of County Commissioners or its charter-specific equivalent; for a records request, Florida's elected Clerk of the Circuit Court is typically the official records custodian for county government records.
Most states apply one county government structure uniformly; Florida instead lets each county choose between the standard elected-commission model and a locally adopted charter that can include a separately elected county executive.
Local government in Florida
- County governments66
The main local government across most of the state.
Browse county pages - Cities, towns & villages412
Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.
Browse city & town pages - School districts95
Independent school districts with their own elected boards. Listed on county pages where known.
- Special districts1,363
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.
Continue your own research