Because Lanham is an unincorporated census-designated place, it does not have its own municipal government, mayor, or city council. Instead, it is governed directly by Prince George's County.
Local administrative, legislative, and executive functions are handled by the Prince George's County Executive and the County Council. Lanham is represented by county council members from the districts that overlap its boundaries. Public services, including law enforcement (Prince George's County Police Department), fire and EMS, public works, and zoning, are entirely managed and funded at the county level. At the federal level, Lanham is represented within Maryland's congressional districts.