The area of Mueang Chiang Mai district was the central part of the Lanna Kingdom, named Nopphaburi Si Nakhon Phing Chiang Mai. King Mengrai the Great was the first king of the Mengrai dynasty, who established the city.
The government created Mueang Chiang Mai district in 1899. The first district office was opened in 1929, on the west side of the old city hall of Chiang Mai. A new district office was opened in August 1989.
There is one city municipality (thesaban nakhon) in the district:
Chiang Mai (Thai: เทศบาลนครเชียงใหม่) consisting of sub-districts Si Phum, Phra Sing, Haiya, Chang Moi, Chang Khlan, Wat Ket, Pa Tan, and parts of sub-districts Chang Phueak, Suthep, Pa Daet, Nong Hoi, Tha Sala, Nong Pa Khrang, Fa Ham.
There is one town-municipality (thesaban mueang) in the district:
Mae Hia (Thai: เทศบาลเมืองแม่เหียะ) consisting of sub-district Mae Hia.
There are eight sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambons) in the district:
Chang Phueak (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลช้างเผือก) consisting of parts of sub-district Chang Phueak.
Nong Pa Khrang (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหนองป่าครั่ง) consisting of parts of sub-district Nong Pa Khrang.
Suthep (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลสุเทพ) consisting of parts of sub-district Suthep.
Pa Daet (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลป่าแดด) consisting of parts of sub-district Pa Daet.
Tha Sala (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลท่าศาลา) consisting of parts of sub-district Tha Sala.
Nong Hoi (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลหนองหอย) consisting of parts of sub-district Nong Hoi.
Fa Ham (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลฟ้าฮ่าม) consisting of parts of sub-district Fa Ham.
San Phi Suea (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลสันผีเสื้อ) consisting of sub-district San Phi Suea.