Local government in Muskoka is governed by a two-tier system. The District Municipality of Muskoka forms the upper-tier, working closely with six Area Municipalities who make up the lower-tier. Both levels collaborate and align services to achieve cost efficiencies and best serve residents and visitors to Muskoka.
The District is governed by a 23 member Council consisting of a District Chair who is elected directly by District Council, the Mayors of the six Area Municipalities, and 16 directly elected District Councillors who also sit on the Area Municipal Councils (three from each, with the exception of the Townships of Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay, who have two).