City government organization and services
Lakewood’s City Council sets city policy, and the city manager oversees city operations. City departments provide services ranging from public safety and recreation to water, streets, planning and financial services.
Use this page to learn how Lakewood’s city government is organized, what each department does and where to find commonly requested services.
Learn more about the Lakewood Plan and how Lakewood contracts for certain municipal services.
City Council
Lakewood's five City Council members are elected by district to four-year terms. Each year, the council reorganizes, selecting one member to serve as mayor and another as vice mayor.
Visit the City Council Members page to learn more about them, find your Council district and see the City Council agenda and meeting minutes.
The City Council sets city policy, adopts the budget and appoints the city manager, city attorney and members of the city's advisory commissions.
City manager
The city manager is appointed by the City Council and oversees city operations, programs and services in accordance with council policy.
City departments and key services
Administrative and Financial Services
Oversees the city budget and finances, water and trash billing, purchasing, business licenses, parking enforcement and information technology.
Common services:
City Clerk
Maintains and provides access to official city records, prepares City Council agendas and minutes and administers municipal elections.
Common services:
Community Development
Oversees building permits and inspections, planning and zoning, housing programs, neighborhood property standards and economic development.
Common services:
Human Resources
Manages city recruitment, employee services and workplace policies.
Common services:
Public Information, Communications and CityTV
Based in the City Manager’s Office, Public Information provides centralized customer service, answers resident questions and routes service requests. The Communications Division produces community relations events and shares city news and information through the city website, weekly eMagazine and social media. CityTV broadcasts City Council meetings and produces educational and informational videos about city programs, services and events.
Common services:
Public Safety
Supports law enforcement services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and oversees local safety programs, emergency preparedness, school crossing guards and the Sky Knight helicopter program.
Common services:
Public Works
Maintains city streets, sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signals, trees and public facilities and oversees contracts for trash collection, street sweeping and animal control.
Common services:
Recreation and Community Services
Manages parks, recreation programs, community centers, senior and human services and DASH specialized transportation. The department also provides landscape maintenance for parks and city facilities.
Common services:
Water Resources
Operates Lakewood’s water system, maintains water infrastructure and provides water-conservation and reclaimed-water services. The city water system serves more than 20,000 households west of the San Gabriel River.
Common services:
Meetings and advisory commissions
City Council and commission meetings are open to the public. View meeting dates, agendas and participation information online.