The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024, at which the incumbent Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, was re-elected to a sixth term.

Prior to the first municipal election, the governor nominated magistrate Charles Windeyer to serve as interim mayor.

In 1903, the governor of New South Wales, Sir Harry Rawson presented the first lord mayor, Thomas Hughes, with the chain of office.

The original civic robe for the mayor of Sydney in 1842 was purple, trimmed with ermine and worn with a court dress hat.

When the council was dismissed in December 1853 and replaced by a board of three commissioners, the post of town clerk was left vacant.

The Sydney City Council had previously recognised the changing nature of role in appointing their first general manager in December 1992.