The government of the City of Rye is run by the city manager and a city council, which includes an elected mayor and six council members. 

This governing body handles various municipal duties like managing city funds and forming local laws and ordinances. They also appoint a city manager who supervises the city's 17 departments. These departments include the assessor's office, police and fire, engineering, public works, recreation, building, the planner's office, boat basin and the city clerk's office, among others.

City Council meetings are held in the council chambers every two weeks on Wednesday at 8pm.