The district covers the towns of Melbourne and Swadlincote as well as numerous villages and hamlets such as Hilton, Hatton, Etwall, Aston-on-Trent, Repton, Weston-on-Trent and Willington.

The neighbouring districts are Derbyshire Dales, Amber Valley, Derby, Erewash, North West Leicestershire, Lichfield and East Staffordshire.

[3] South Derbyshire District Council provides district-level services.

[6] Much of the borough is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

The building was purpose-built for the council and was completed in 1977, being formally opened on 18 February 1977 by Jack Longland.