The Calabasas City Council is composed of five members elected at large on a non-partisan basis to serve four year overlapping terms. Municipal elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of odd numbered years, with three Council members selected at one election and two at the next. The March 6, 2007 election has two council seats open.

The Council is the legislative policy-making branch of City government. It is the Council's responsibility to enact ordinances, resolutions and orders necessary for governing the affairs of the City, to approve or amend the annual budget, to authorize contracts on behalf of the City, act as the final appeal body on rulings of commissions, appoint the City Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and City Attorney, and all members of the various commissions and committees.

The Mayor is selected by the City Council, from one of its members, for a one year term and serves as the official representative of the City for all legislative and ceremonial purposes. The Mayor is the presiding officer at City Council meetings and executes legal instruments and documents. However, the Mayor is not vested with administrative authority.

The City Council is assisted by several citizen commissions and a board: Planning Commission, Parks, Recreation and Education Commission, Traffic and Transportation Commission, Communications and Technology Commission (CTC), Public Safety Commission, Environmental Commission,  and Library Commission.

The regular meeting of the City Council is a vital part of the democratic process in the conduct of the City's affairs. It is at Council meetings that laws, policies and basic decisions are made for the government of Calabasas. All meetings of the City Council are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend to learn more about how the City operates. City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers, 26135 Mureau Road, 2nd floor, at 7:30 p.m., on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

The City Council agenda is the official order of business at Council meetings. Items for the agenda are prepared and submitted to the City Council by the City Manager and staff. The agenda is now available online on the City’s website under “Agendas”, where the public may now download the agenda and staff reports.