It is the only provincial municipality of special regime with faculties of regional government.

It is established according to the 2002 Organic Law of Regional Governments (Ley Orgánica de Gobiernos Regionales) and the 2003 Organic Law of Municipalities (Ley Orgánica de Municipalidades).

The organs of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima are:[1] The Council consists of the Mayor and five aldermen, according to the Municipal Elections Law (Ley de Elecciones Municipales).

[2] The Metropolitan Assembly is an advisory and coordinating body.

[3] According to Article 154 of, the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima exerts jurisdiction, in matters within its competence, on the districts of Lima.