The executive power, located at Cidade Nova, is formed of the elected Mayor (currently Eduardo Paes), Secretaries, who are chosen by the mayor, and Civil Servants.

Municipal laws can be divided into organic laws (the city's constitution which it is very hard to modify), complementary laws, that explains and adds to an organic law without modifying it, amendments (this seeks to modify the organic law), and ordinary law (separate to organic law which does not interfere with the constitution but cannot be contrary to it).

There is also the Budget Law, in which the city budget is planned by the executive branch and then analyzed, amended and approved by the legislative branch.

The executive branch can propose laws but they need to be approved by the councilors - Decrees are the sole responsibility of the Mayor, regarding situations that fall 'below' the law, but must not conflict with any laws.