Potters Bar Urban District was transferred from Middlesex to Hertfordshire in 1965, and abolished in 1974 to become part of Hertsmere.

South Mimms Rural District had its origins in the Barnet Poor Law Union, which had been created in 1835.

In 1932 the council moved to a house called Tancreed on Darkes Lane in Potters Bar, but would only be based there for three years.

In 1939 a new Potters Bar and District Hospital was built on Mutton Lane, and the council proposed building a new civic centre alongside it, but the scheme was abandoned due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 1963 the council tried again to consolidate its functions onto a single site, proposing a new municipal building and public hall at Oakmere House, but that scheme did not proceed either.