Ongar Town Council was formed in 2006 and replaced the former Ongar Parish Council which had, in 1966, united the former parishes of Chipping Ongar, Greensted and Shelley together with the Marden Ash ward of High Ongar Parish Council.
The Town Council consists of four wards and is served by 15 elected and co-opted councillors.
Ongar Town Council is one of the larger local councils in the Epping Forest District Council area serving a population of over 7,500.