Kennesaw operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The City Council consists of five members elected at-large, while the Mayor serves as the chief executive officer. The city government provides a wide array of public services, including a municipal police department, parks and recreation management, public works, and community development planning.
Kennesaw is located within Cobb County, meaning residents also rely on county-level services for public schooling, fire and emergency services, and the county court system. Politically, Kennesaw has mirrored the broader shifts of Atlanta's northern suburbs, transitioning from heavily conservative in the late 20th century to a more highly contested, politically diverse area in recent elections.