The free city of Rust is the smallest administrative district in Austria with its 1,700 inhabitants. The matters of the municipal administration of the town itself are dealt with at the municipality of the free city of Rust on the basis of the fact that Rust is chartered town. This is located in the town hall, Conradplatz 1. The mayor therefore also takes on the position of a district chief administrator. Passports can thus be drawn up and business registered in the town hall as well as whole lot more.

The reasons for Rust being a chartered town are historical. The citizens of Rust were granted the town charter back in 1681 when the Province of Burgenland still belonged to Hungary. After the Province of Burgenland was annexed to Austria, both the Hungarian "royal free cities" of Eisenstadt and Rust became Austrian chartered towns - the name free city was retained. If an Austrian town were to apply for its own charter today, it would have to have at least 20,000 inhabitants. This information is also evidence of the exceptional status given to the "royal free city" of Rust and its 1,714 inhabitants within the Austrian constitution.

The free city of Rust and its citizens are in any case proud of occupying this exceptional position.