 Established in 1976, Seberang Perai City Council's jurisdiction includes several major townships and wards, such as Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam, Batu Kawan and Nibong Tebal, covering a total area of .The local council is responsible for urban planning, heritage preservation, public health, sanitation, waste management, traffic management, environmental protection, building control, social and economic development, and general maintenance of urban infrastructure.The headquarters of the Seberang Perai City Council is "Bangunan MBSP" at the Bandar Perda township, about west of Bukit Mertajam proper.