The City of North Kansas City has a Third Class Mayor-Council-Administrator form of government as set forth in the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri. The City is divided into four wards and two residents from each ward are elected to serve on the City Council. Each Council member serves a 2-year term, and the terms are staggered so only one Council member per ward is up for election each year. Council members are responsible for determining policy, enacting ordinances and authorizing expenditures.

The Mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term and assumes leadership in policy making. The responsibilities of the Mayor include serving as president of the council, presiding over same, but shall not vote except in case of a tie in said council, and appointing members of various Boards and Commissions.

The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The regular business meeting begins at 7 p.m. Many, but not all, regular meetings are preceded by a work session at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the City Council chamber at City Hall, 2010 Howell Street. All meetings are open to the public.