Communes represent the second and lowest level of administrative division in Romania, with 3,181 such units currently in existence. These rural administrative entities serve as the primary form of local government outside urban areas, typically consisting of a main village and several smaller surrounding settlements. Each commune is governed by a mayor and local council elected by residents, responsible for delivering essential public services including maintenance of local roads, primary education facilities, basic healthcare centers, and public utilities. Communes manage their own budgets, collect local taxes, and handle civil registration matters such as births, deaths, and marriages. They also oversee local urban planning, environmental protection within their territory, and social assistance programs for residents. This administrative structure allows for localized governance that addresses the specific needs of rural communities while maintaining coordination with county-level authorities.