The monastery was founded by the Lords of Geroldseck, to whose sovereign lands belonged much of the modern Ortenau district.

The Free Imperial City of Zell was mediatized by order of the Final Recess (Reichsdeputationshauptschluss) ratified by the Emperor Francis II on 27 April 1803.

Zell am Harmersbach is twinned with: The district of Unterharmersbach has maintained a partnership with the Swiss community of Tuggen since 2000.

Zell is the birthplace of the famous Hahn und Henne (Rooster and Hens) pottery factory.

Zell am Harmersbach lies on the Harmersbachtalbahn, a branch line of the Black Forest Railway, which runs from Biberach to Oberharmersbach.