Also, the campus of University of Northwestern – St. Paul straddles the Arden Hills – Roseville border.

The city contains the headquarters of Land O'Lakes and Catholic United Financial, a fraternal benefit society.

As of May 2023, the current mayor of Arden Hills is David Grant, who was re-elected with 51.71% of the vote on the November 8, 2022 election.

Any new development is expected to conform to the provisions of the very detailed (and sometimes contradictory) provisions of the Zoning Code, the primary stated purpose of which is to ensure fair application of City development regulations and to promote the public health, safety, and welfare.

Proposed deviations from the Zoning Code require the approval of a "variance" by the City Council, which takes into consideration the recommendations of the Planning Commission, staff, and members of the public.

Requests for variances are required to address the criteria in Minnesota State Statutes 462.357 Subd.

Variances are intended to be used to address unique lot situations when the literal application of the Code would restrict reasonable use of the land and create an undue hardship as defined in Minnesota State Statutes.

Variance applications are reviewed by the Planning Commission, which is responsible for determining what constitutes "undue hardship."

Commission members are to represent the interests of the community and evaluate development applications based on established City Codes and State Statutes.

In July 2006 the city reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Government to purchase a large portion of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site for $45 million, a deal that could lead to a major new development that would include 2,400 new homes and 3,200,000 square feet (300,000 m2) of commercial space.

The Twins Cities Titans of the NEFL are a semi-pro football team who play in Arden Hills.

Ramsey County officials announced in May 2011 that they had reached an agreement with the Minnesota Vikings to be the team's local partner for a new stadium.

The site of the stadium would be the former Twins Cities Army Ammunitions Plant in Arden Hills, which is about 10 miles from the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

[26] This plan fell through, however, on March 1, 2012 when Governor Dayton announced the stadium would be built on the site of their former home, the Metrodome.