City Council Information

The City Council is the governing body of the City of Portsmouth and as such is the policy-making entity of the City, except where otherwise expressed in the City Charter. The City Council consists of nine (9) councilors elected at large for terms of two (2) years. 

The candidate for City Council who receives the largest number of votes at any election becomes Mayor. The City Councilor who receives the next largest number of votes becomes Assistant Mayor. A candidate for City Council must be a duly qualified voter and resident of Portsmouth for at least two years immediately prior to election.

Regular meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month, or as the Council votes upon a motion of the Council. Emergency meetings may be held whenever necessary at the call of the Mayor. Meetings may be rescheduled or canceled on a per meeting basis by vote of the Council.

All reports, communications ordinances, resolutions, or other matters to be submitted to the Council at their meetings must be submitted by 12:00 noon on the Wednesday prior to the Monday meeting. The City Clerk prepares an agenda which is provided by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday prior to the Council meeting, and which is made available to the general public.

The public are invited to attend and encouraged to participate in City Council meetings. The meetings are also televised on the Portsmouth Municipal Government Cable Channel 22.

City Council meetings are held in the City Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, One Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801. For information, call the City Clerk at (603) 610-7207.