Saint Barthélemy operates with a single-tier administrative structure consisting of 1 commune, which encompasses the entire territorial collectivity. The commune serves as the sole level of local government, consolidating all municipal administrative functions under one authority. This administrative body handles essential public services including civil registration, urban planning, waste management, and local infrastructure maintenance. The commune also manages tax collection, public facilities, and coordinates with the French state on matters related to education, security, and social services. Given Saint Barthélemy's small size and population, this streamlined single-commune system eliminates redundant bureaucratic layers and provides direct governance for the island's residents, combining functions that might otherwise be distributed across multiple municipalities in larger territories.