In 1936, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 39, otherwise known as the “City Charter of Zamboanga”, the City Council was born. Then in 1975 under Presidential Decree No. 836, the name City Council was changed to Sangguniang Bayan and eventually in 1977 to Sangguniang Panlungsod.

In November 1983, Zamboanga City was declared a Highly Urbanized City, in accordance with the provisions of Batas Pambansa 337, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1983.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod as the Legislative Body of the City of Zamboanga exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions as called for under the City Charter, the Local Government of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) and all other related laws. As the law-making body, it is also a consultative body.