Incorporated in 1931, the Town of Manalapan is governed under a commission-manager form of government by an elected Mayor and six (6) member Town Commission. The six (6) members are elected on a non-partisan basis, and serve overlapping two (2) year terms. The Mayor is directly elected and serves a two (2) year term. The Mayor and Town Commission oversee all legislative duties for the Town of Manalapan. Any qualified Town elector, who resides at least seven (7) months out of twelve (12) months of each year, is eligible to run for and hold an office of Town Commissioner or the Mayor. In addition to being a qualified Town elector, that person must fulfill a residency requirement as specified in the Town Charter.

At the March Reorganization Meeting, following the municipal election, a Vice Mayor and a Mayor Pro Tem is elected among its members. The Vice Mayor shall act as Mayor during the absence, unavailability or disability of the Mayor and upon the office of the Mayor becoming vacant, shall act as the Mayor until the office of Mayor is filled. The Mayor Pro Tem shall only act as Mayor at Town Commission meetings not attended by the Mayor or Vice Mayor. The Mayor shall preside over meetings of the Town Commission, shall be recognized as head of Town government for all ceremonial purposes, by the Florida Governor for purposes of military law, for service of process and execution of contracts, deeds and other instruments and documents, and represents the Town in all agreements with other governmental entities or certifications to their governmental entities, but shall have no administrative duties except as required to carry out the responsibilities herein.

Architectural Commission

The Architectural Commission, appointed by the Town Commission, consists of five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members with the term of office for each Commissioner being two (2) years. Both regular and alternate members shall be Town residents and registered voters who reside in the Town at least seven (7) months out of twelve (12) months of each year.  Whenever possible, members shall be appointed who have experience in art, architecture, community planning, land development, real estate, landscape architecture, or other relevant business or profession, or by reason of civic interest and sound judgment to judge the effects of a proposed building upon the desirability, property values and development of surrounding areas.  Alternate members may act in the temporary absence or disability of any regular member or when a regular member is otherwise disqualified in a particular case. No regular member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in office. The Town Commission shall annually appoint one (1) of the regular members to serve as Chairperson and one (1) of the regular members to serve as Vice Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms. This Commission reviews and considers all architectural applications, relating to building permits, as presented by property owners.

Building Board of Adjustment & Appeals

The Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals, appointed by the Town Commission, consists of five (5) regular members and two (2) alternates, each serving a term of two (2) years. Members need not be Town residents since this is a technical board for which specific expertise is necessary. Whenever possible, members shall be appointed who have knowledge and experience in technical codes such as design professionals, contractors, building officials, or building industry representatives. Alternate members may act in the temporary absence or disability of any regular member or when a regular member is otherwise disqualified in a particular case. No regular member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in office. The Town Commission shall annually appoint one (1) of the regular members to serve as Chairperson and one (1) of the regular members to serve as Vice Chairperson. A Chairperson shall not serve consecutive terms, but may serve more than one (1) non-consecutive term.

The Board’s responsibilities include: a) Hearing appeals of decisions and interpretations of the Building Code as made by the Building Official; b) Considering and approving variance requests from all technical codes, when, in the opinion of the Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals, the enforcement of the technical codes would do manifest injustice and would be contrary to the spirit and purpose of the Building Code or any of the technical codes or the public interest. It meets on an as needed basis.

Zoning Commission

The Zoning Commission, appointed by the Town Commission, consists of five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members with the term of office for each Commissioner being two (2) years. Both regular and alternate members shall be Town residents and registered voters who reside in the Town at least seven (7) months out of twelve (12) months of each year. Whenever possible, members shall be appointed who have experience in land use and zoning matters. Alternate members may act in the temporary absence or disability of any regular member or when a regular member is otherwise disqualified in a particular case.  No regular member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in office. The Town Commission shall annually appoint one (1) of the regular members to serve as Chairperson and one (1) of the regular members to serve as Vice Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms. This Commission reviews and makes recommendations to the Town Commission on all proposed comprehensive land use plan amendments, rezoning applications, revisions to the Zoning Code, variance applications and on all other matters submitted to it by the Town Commission.