Escondido is a general law city governed by a five-member City Council. A Mayor and four (4) members of the City Council, along with the City Treasurer, are directly elected at large. There are no districts within the city and the Mayor and Council members share an equal vote on all matters.

The term of office for each member is four years with staggered terms. The Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council, Community Development Commission, Mobilehome Rent Review Board, and Escondido Joint Powers Financing Authority.