In South Africa, a local municipality or Category B municipality is a type of municipality that serves as the third, and most local, tier of local government. It falls under the jurisdiction of the district municipality (also known as "districts"); there are no local municipalities in any of the 8 metropolitan municipalities, which have their own respective systems of urban governance. There are 226 local municipalities in South Africa.
The closest U.S. equivalent to a local municipality is the civil township, which is a common subdivision of the county in several states. Multiple towns, cities and farms may occupy the expanse of a local municipality. Local municipalities are usually governed by a mayor and municipal council.
Like metropolitan municipalities, local municipalities are further divided into electoral wards, which play a pivotal role in both municipal and national elections. The wards also serve as constituencies for the municipal councils.
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