Lakewood City Hall — the giant city building on Detroit Avenue — houses most all of the city's operations: the mayor's office, the police department, most of the city's departments (think department of public works), the municipal court and of course, city council.

Lakewood operates under a city charter, calling for a mayor/council form of government, with city council serving as the legislative branch. Seven council members (3 at-large and 1 for each of the city's four wards) hold meetings in open public forums on the first and third Monday of every month (recess in August) at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium. 

The department heads, council and the mayor attend the meetings.