It is a representative assembly, with one elected member from each of nine districts: Niagara, Delaware, Masten, Ellicott, Lovejoy, Fillmore, North, University, and South.

[1] From Buffalo's incorporation in 1832 the common council existed under New York State charters.

A 2002 downsizing eliminated the remaining three at-large members and the elected Common Council President.

[2] In practice, there is a majority leader even when all members of the council are from the same political party; a local law was passed in November 2002 to allow this.

Scanlon vacated his South District seat after he became Mayor of Buffalo through right of succession in October 2024, and the Common Council is currently considering legislation on how to address the vacancy.