A local government body within the Perth metropolitan area, sometimes referred to as Perth City Council, the City of Perth covers an area of around 20 square kilometres.
The Council has a heritage dating back to 1856.
The Perth City Council was suspended on 2 March 2018, pending the establishment of a public inquiry into the council. The council has been administered by three commissioners.
In October 2020, the term for the three commissioners ended as the City of Perth elected 8 councillors and TV personality Basil Zempilas as Lord Mayor.