Tsakhkadzor city is a self-governed community, which executes its self-governance in accordance with the Constitution of RA, Law on “Local Self-Governance” and other RA laws. The governance is exercised by the city Mayor and Council of Elders elected through free elections accomplished by the residents of the city. The mayor and the Council of Elders discharge obligations imposed by the State, as well as execute voluntary and mandatory powers with the help of Municipality Staff. The Municipality carries out its activities in compliance with the budget endorsed by the Council of Elders.

According to the RA Law on Administrative-Territorial Division of 07.11.1995, Tsakhkadzor city obtained status of a self-governed administrative-territorial unit, whereupon the first elections of local government bodies took place in 1996.

In 1996 Armen Petrosyan was elected to be the first mayor of Tsakhkadzor city.
The Council of Elders consisted of the following members

Lyova Haroutyunyan Garun Mirzoyan Jonic Hakobyan Kamo Hakobyan Ashot Sargsyan Movses Manukyan Zhirayr Araqelyan Roubik Yeghiazaryan

Arthur Haroutyunyan Aram Hovhannisyan Souren Safaryan Artak Khachatryan Seda Mirzoyan
The subsequent local government elections took place in 2002, and Garun Mirzoyan was re-elected to hold the position of Mayor of Tsakhkadzor city. In the Council of Elders were: Sirekan Mirzoyan Artak Khachatryan Anahit Hayrapetyan Armen Bagratyan Romik Zalibekyan Arthur Haroutyunyan Hrach Gevorgyan
The following local government elections took place in 2005, and Garun Mirzoyan was re-elected again to assume the duties of Mayor of Tsakhkadzor city. The following members shaped the Council of Elders: Artak Khachatryan Ara Asryan Gnel Hayrapetyan Armen Bagratyan Arsen Soghomonyan Norayr Mirzoyan Mher Araqelyan