The City of Pismo Beach is a general law city, governed by a City Council/City Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of five members, selected through a municipal election to serve a four-year term; the Mayor serves a two-year term. Each member must be a registered voter in the City. Each member represents the interests of the City as a whole.

Elections are conducted on staggered terms so transition of a continuing measure is maintained from one Council to the next.

Unless otherwise noticed, City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm in the Council Chamber, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach.