North Little Rock operates under a mayor-city council form of government. The mayor is elected by popular vote to head the executive branch of government on a full-time basis for a four-year term. Eight aldermen are elected to represent four wards. Aldermen serve staggered four-year terms, with one of the two ward positions up for re-election every two years.

The city is a member of the Arkansas Municipal League and the Regional Planning Agency. North Little Rock has a long-range master plan for its physical growth with effective zoning and code ordinance enforcement. The city's expenditures directly and indirectly support industrial development activities.