On 1 January 1838, the parish of Heskestad was established as a municipality (see formannskapsdistrikt law).

During the 1960s, there were many municipal changes in Norway due to the recommendations of the Schei Committee.

At the same time the Gyadalen and Grøsfjell areas, with 114 inhabitants, were merged with the town of Egersund and the municipalities of Eigersund and Helleland to form a new, larger municipality of Eigersund.

[4] All municipalities in Norway, including Heskestad, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads.

[5] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Heskestad was made up of 13 representatives that were elected to four year terms.