The Spanish Cabildo was the first official city council established in New Orleans in 1803. Following the Cabildo, many different interations of city councils were in place before the Modern City Council was formed with the adoption of the 1954 Home Rule Charter. Researchers interested in an in-depth explanation of the city councils thoughout the City's history can find information on our City Council Timeline.

In 1954, New Orleans adopted the current Mayor-Council form of government, consisting of the Mayor and seven Council members. Two Council members are elected from the city at large and five are elected from Council districts. Council members serve four year terms, beginning on the first Monday in May following their election. If a member leaves office less than a year before completing his or her term, the remaining members of the City Council select a citizen with the requisite qualifications to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. If the unexpired term is for one year or more, the vacancy is filled by special election. Council members may not serve the same district for more than two consecutive terms; Council members-at-large may not serve more than two consecutive at-large terms. These term limitations went into effect in 1991.