How the West Hollywood City Council Works

The City Council of West Hollywood serves as the city’s legislative body, responsible for enacting laws, setting policies, and guiding the direction of municipal government. Here’s an overview of how the council functions, including elections, term lengths, title rotation, and the nature of council service.

Council Composition and Elections

West Hollywood’s City Council is made up of five members who are elected at-large by the residents of the city. Elections are held every two years in November, with either two or three council seats on the ballot, depending on the cycle. This staggered format helps maintain continuity in city leadership.

Councilmembers serve four-year terms, and as of the passage of Measure C in 2013, they are limited to serving no more than three terms (a total of 12 years). This term limit was instituted to encourage broader community participation and bring new voices into city leadership.

Part-Time Service with Full-Time Lives

West Hollywood’s Councilmembers serve in a part-time capacity, and most are employed full-time elsewhere. Despite the part-time designation, council duties often demand significant attention, including preparing for and attending biweekly meetings, participating in city events, and responding to constituents. Nevertheless, councilmembers balance these responsibilities with careers in fields such as law, education, nonprofit leadership, and activism.

This structure reflects the city’s commitment to civic engagement by individuals rooted in diverse aspects of community and professional life.

Leadership Roles and Title Rotation

The City Council annually selects two of its members to serve in ceremonial leadership positions: Mayor and Vice Mayor (formerly known as Mayor Pro Tempore). These roles rotate among councilmembers to foster shared leadership.

While the Mayor and Vice Mayor do not hold executive powers beyond their peers, they represent the city in formal capacities, preside over meetings, and help set the tone for the council’s work.

The leadership rotation typically takes place in December, following the certification of election results, with new mayors officially installed in January. This schedule ensures newly elected councilmembers can participate in the leadership selection process.

Current Councilmembers (as of January 12, 2026)

• John Heilman - Mayor
• Danny Hang - Vice Mayor
• Chelsea Lee Byers - Councilmember
• John M. Erickson - Councilmember
• Lauren Meister - Councilmember

Public Engagement and Access

West Hollywood encourages residents to stay involved in civic life:

- Attend or Watch Meetings: Council meetings are open to the public and streamed online.
- Public Comment: Residents can provide feedback during meetings or submit written public comment.
- Contact Your Council: Councilmembers are accessible via email or phone.
- Stay Informed: Agendas, minutes, and updates are published on weho.org.

For more details, visit the City of West Hollywood’s City Council page: www.weho.org/city-government/city-council