All buildings and activities within the Pike Place Market, regardless of ownership, are governed by covenants and ordinances designed to protect and preserve the traditional commercial and cultural uses of the Market. Revenues for operating the Market are derived through property management activities. The Market is not tax supported. The Pike Place Market PDA is a nonprofit public corporation chartered by the City of Seattle in 1973 to serve as caretaker and steward of the city's historic public market center. PDA staff activities are overseen by the PDA Council, a 12-member volunteer board consisting of four Mayoral appointees, four members elected by the Market Constituency and four members appointed by the PDA council itself.
Council members serve four-year terms.
In addition, the PDA shall provide a structure within which all public agencies, private groups, organizations, and individuals whose concerns relate to the preservation of Seattle's Market area may work together to accomplish the above purpose and goals. The Pike Place Market Constituency exercises the public's oversight of the Market. The Constituency was created by the City and recognized in the original PDA charter of 1973. The Constituency works to keep Market management cognizant of its responsibility to the public, and acts as an advisory and lobbying group to both the PDA and the Seattle City Council. The Constituency's responsibilities include electing one member to the PDA Council each year, and concurring on proposed PDA charter amendments.