The City Ethics Law is intended "[t]o guard against improper influence or even the appearance of improper influence, and to ensure public trust in the government". To that end, the Ethics Law:
- sets ethical standards on the conduct of all City officials and employees as necessary or appropriate to prevent a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict,
- requires City officials and high-level employees, within 6 months of appointment, to undergo formal training in the requisites of the Ethics Law and sign and to submit a Conflicts Affidavit,
- requires City officials and specified employees to file annual financial disclosure statements, open to public inspection, and
- requires legislative- and executive-branch lobbyists to file registration statements and periodic activity reports, open to public inspection.