The City of Camarillo's five-member City Council is elected at large to staggered, four-year terms by the residents of Camarillo. The Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor. As the city's legislative body, the City Council conducts the affairs of the City on behalf of the citizens, in accordance with the State Constitution and the General Laws of the State of California. It is within this legal framework that the Council makes decisions affecting numerous aspects of community life, from the provision of municipal services to land use planning and community development. The City Council sets the annual budget to ensure that the city's operations and capital infrastructure are maintained for the efficient delivery of services.

It enacts municipal ordinances to protect the health and safety of all who live in, work in or visit the city, adopts resolutions, and takes other actions as necessary to conduct the city's business. All City Council actions are subject to public notice and opportunity for public review and comment.

The City Council also serves as the Board of Directors for the Camarillo Sanitary District, the Camarillo Community Development Commission and the Camarillo Library. As board members, the City Council conducts the affairs of these agencies in the same manner as they do other city business, on behalf of the citizens of Camarillo.