In 1894, under the Local Government Act 1894, Sunbury on Thames was created an urban district of the administrative county of Middlesex.

Serious agitation for better drainage began in 1890, and in 1892 the vestry decided to press for urban status.

At a local inquiry which was held in 1893 it was said that middle-class property in the parish was depreciating because of the Staines rural sanitary authority's apathy about drainage.

The latter was not represented at the inquiry and there was no opposition to the proposed urban district, which was created in the following year.

Thereafter the council met at the Assembly Rooms in Thames Street until it acquired the lease of Church Villa later in 1895.

In 1896 there were committees for finance, highways and lighting, by-laws, fire brigade, Church Green improvement, sanitary and general purposes, and drainage.

The crest is: On a wreath argent and vert in front of a sun rising Or a seax (Saxon sword) fesswise point to the dexter azure hilted gules.

The shepherd's crooks stand for Shepperton, and the mitre for Sunbury-on-Thames, the two main towns in the district.