At the time of its founding in 1541, the territory corresponding to the city of Santiago was completely contained in what is now known as the commune of Santiago, so it is common to affirm that the founding date of the commune of Santiago is the same as that of the city, although the term "commune" began to be used many years later when the city far exceeded its original limits.

Thus, the commune of Santiago shares its history with the first decades of the city of the same name, encompassing the oldest part of the city — that enclosed by old rail lines — including downtown, and houses all major government infrastructure, including the government palace La Moneda.

As a commune, Santiago is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by a mayor who is directly elected every four years.

For the 2024-2028 term, the mayor is Mario Desbordes Jiménez (RN), and the communal council has the following members:[8] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Santiago is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Gonzalo Winter (CS), Lorena Fries (Unir), Emilia Schneider (COM), Alejandra Placencia (PCCh), Helia Molina (PPD), Jorge Alessandri Vergara (UDI), María Luisa Cordero (Ind-RN) and Johannes Kaiser (PLR) as part of the 10th electoral district.

[9] The commune is represented in the Senate by Fabiola Campillai Rojas (Ind), Claudia Pascual (PCCh), Luciano Cruz Coke (EVO), Manuel José Ossandon (RN) and Rojo Edwards (PLR) as part of the 7th senatorial constituency (Santiago Metropolitan Region).