In 1872 sanitary districts were established, giving public health and local government responsibilities for rural areas to the existing boards of guardians of poor law unions.

The Amersham Rural Sanitary District therefore covered the area of the poor law union except for the town of Beaconsfield, which had an urban authority and so became its own urban sanitary district.

The Amersham Rural District Council held its first meeting on 3 January 1895 at the workhouse.

[2] The parishes were originally: The council was initially based at the workhouse on Whielden Road, continuing to meet there until the 1930s.

[3] In 1931 the council purchased Elmodesham House at 42 High Street in Amersham for £3,300, converting it to become their offices and meeting place.