Novi operates under the council-manager system of government with an appointed city manager and elected city council. The city council consists of the mayor, elected to a two-year term, and six at-large council members elected to four-year terms.

The mayor is the presiding officer of the council with the same voting powers as the other council members. The city manager, Victor Cardenas, oversees the day-to-day operations of the city, manages staff operations, recommends the annual budget and makes policy recommendations to the council. The city has 249 full-time employees and a total budget of $63.1 million.

The Novi Civic Center is located at 45175 West Ten Mile Road between Novi and Taft Roads. The first city charter was adopted by the voters in 1969, with the last major revision in 1977. The city is represented in the 21st District of the Michigan House of Representatives by State Representative Kelly Breen.