The City of King is a full-service City with a Council-Manager form of government. It was incorporated in 1911 and is a charter city. The 5-member City Council is elected by districts to 4-year staggered terms. Volunteer boards and commissions are appointed by the City Council to provide recommendations to ensure important policy items reflect community input and interests.

King City provides its own police, fire, community development, recreation, public works and wastewater services. It is also one of the smallest jurisdictions in California to have formed its own Community Choice Power program to provide power generation services.