A five-member City Council governs the City. Municipal elections are held every two years. Two or three council seats are elected every two years. Each member serves a four-year term. Although the City has not adopted term limits, traditionally, Council Members serve no more than two four-year terms.

The City Council sits as the governing board for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Sierra Madre and the Sierra Madre Financing Authority of the City of Sierra Madre.

The honorary positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore rotate among the five elected members of the City Council. The City Council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney. The City Manager appoints all other members of the Executive Management Team and City staff members.

The City also has an elected City Clerk and City Treasurer. Each serves a four-year term without term limits.