Monmouth is located within the principal area of Monmouthshire (Welsh: Cyngor Sir Fynwy), one of the 22 unitary authorities of Wales.

The Town Council is responsible for a limited range of local government functions, including street cleaning, children's play areas, the town's Christmas lights and floral displays, civic events, and grants to local organisations, and is consulted by the County Council on other matters including planning applications.

This monopoly created the need for a local government organisation, which evolved into Monmouth's town council when in 1447 Henry VI granted a charter providing for sixteen councillors, from whom one was elected as mayor, plus the right to two maces, which remains in practice to this day.

Wyesham, Osbaston, Town and Overmonnow wards have four members in the council, while Drybridge has three representatives.

One of them, Cllr Anna Antebi, resigned from her Town ward seat in September 2017 for personal reasons.