Communes in Réunion represent the second and final level of local administration in this French overseas department. The island is divided into 24 communes, which function as the primary units of local government responsible for delivering essential public services to residents. These municipalities handle day-to-day administrative tasks including urban planning, local infrastructure maintenance, primary education facilities, waste management, and civil registry services. Each commune is governed by a municipal council and mayor, elected by local residents, who manage the commune's budget and implement policies affecting their jurisdiction. The communes vary considerably in size and population, ranging from densely populated coastal areas to more rural inland territories, but all maintain the same administrative structure and responsibilities consistent with French municipal law.