Carrington has a mayor‑council form of government. Mayor and aldermen are elected for 4 years; treasurer and municipal judge are elected for 2 years. All city department heads are appointed.
The City's Planning Commission in 1970 completed a comprehensive plan for Carrington, with the aid of an urban planning assistance grant. As a result, zoning regulations and subdivision controls have been adopted to provide long‑range, flexible guides for orderly growth in line with future needs of "The Central City".
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 228