LAFCOs' planning responsibilities are explicit to informing their regulatory powers and highlighted by establishing spheres of influence for all cities and special districts.
State law requires all 58 LAFCOs appoint their own executive officer who serves as the agency administrator and responsible for making recommendations on all jurisdictional changes within the county.
Larger LAFCOs - typically in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California - are staffed with three to ten employees plus outside consultants.
LAFCOs' powers and duties have expanded in step with subsequent legislation and most recently include regulating cities and districts' ability to provide services outside their jurisdictional boundaries by contract or agreement.
LAFCOs are governed by a commission consisting of appointed elected officials representing the county board of supervisors, city councils, and - at least for most - special district directors.