The City of Highland Village operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council consists of a Mayor and six City Council members, all elected at-large by the citizens. The Council is responsible for establishing city policies, passing ordinances, and setting the annual budget.
Daily municipal operations are overseen by an appointed City Manager, who acts as the chief administrative officer. Highland Village maintains its own dedicated police and fire departments, both of which are highly rated and contribute to the city's reputation as one of the safest communities in North Texas. At the state and federal levels, Highland Village is represented within Denton County's legislative districts and the U.S. House of Representatives.