[5] Taylor was eventually elected to be Lord Mayor of Sydney for two years from 1905 to 1906 and embarked on an ambitious programme of civic improvement, having acquired special powers from parliament for revenue-raising.

[1] Among his achievements during his time as Lord Mayor, particularly during his second term from January 1909 to May 1912, was the programme of slum-clearance around Wexford Street, Surry Hills, to create Wentworth Avenue, the widening of Oxford Street, to ease traffic and upgrade tram infrastructure, and the creation of the square that now bears his name at the centre of it in Darlinghurst.

[7] Popular while in office, on his resignation the Sydney Morning Herald noted that Taylor as Lord Mayor had: "thus proved himself to be a man of fine capacity.

[2] On 1 December 1912, Taylor lost his seat on Sydney City Council and in January 1914 attempted to return via a by-election in Lang Ward caused by the resignation of former Lord Mayor Sir Arthur Cocks, but was unsuccessful against flour mill director, John Spencer Brunton.

Taylor also served the community as a director of the Benevolent Society of New South Wales from 1909 to 1913 and of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1916 to 1936.

On 30 September 1940, survived by his second wife and son, Taylor died at his home in Lang Road, Centennial Park and was buried in South Head Cemetery.