The City of Pasadena operates under a Mayor-Council form of government with a mayor and eight council members responsible for enacting legislation, adopting budgets and determining the policies of the city. Council members are elected by voters in each of eight districts and serve two-year terms.
Council members can serve a maximum of four consecutive two-year terms.
The mayor is elected by voters of the entire city and serves four-year terms with a limit of two consecutive terms. The mayor is the city's chief administrator and executive officer who is responsible for all its affairs and is recognized as the head of the city government. The mayor is entitled to vote on all matters that come before the City Council and also has the power to veto ordinances and resolutions adopted by the council. The City Council can override the mayor's veto by a majority vote. The citizens of Pasadena are also afforded certain powers.