Ethics for City Staff, Elected Officials and Board Members

This page provides information and resources on specific ethics rules and requirements found in the Government Ethics Act (GEA) and Conflict of Interest Code.

Get Updates from the Public Ethics Commission

The Public Ethics Commission is committed to helping Oakland Public Servants make decisions and conduct their work in a manner that upholds the public's trust. While the Government Ethics Act provides a minimum standard for government ethics that all Public Servants must be aware of and comply with, our goal is that Public Servants practice the highest integrity in their service to the City.

The Law

Government Ethics Act
Framework of ethics and conflict of interest rules for Oakland public servants

Conflict of Interest Code
Lists public officials required to file Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700)

Resources and Training

• Conflicts of Interest
• Gift Restrictions
• Ethics for Board and Commission Members
• Open Meetings Sunshine Training

Publications

PEC Ethics Resource Binder

• First 30 Days Checklist for Elected Officials(PDF, 133KB)
  Ethics orientation checklist for elected officials
• Government Ethics Act Guide(PDF, 1MB)
  This guide provides summaries of all the provisions within the Government Ethics Act. Published 2019
• FPPC Conflicts of Interests Guide(PDF, 616KB)
  This guide is provided by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) as a general overview of a public official's obligations under the conflict of interest rules provided for in the Political Reform Act. It is intended to help the user spot situations and issues that may give rise to a conflict.
• FPPC Gifts Fact Sheet(PDF, 372KB)
  This fact sheet summarizes the major provisions of the Political Reform Act concerning gifts, honoraria, travel, and loans.
• PEC Gift Restrictions Fact Sheet(PDF, 262KB)
  This fact sheet summarizes the local gift restrictions in Oakland according to the Government Ethics Act.
• PEC Misuse of Public Resources Fact Sheet(PDF, 349KB)
  This fact sheet summarizes the rules related to misuse of City resources within the Government Ethics Act.
• Ensuring Ethical and Transparent Issuing of City Tickets(PDF, 2MB)
  Ensuring Ethical and Transparent Issuing of City Tickets. Published 2017.
• City Ticket Distribution Policy - Oakland Municipal Chapter 2.26(PDF, 634KB)
• Administrative Instruction (AI) 597(PDF, 348KB)
  The purpose of this Administrative Instruction is to assure compliance with City Charter Section 218 by advising employees under the City Administrator's authority of the procedure to respond to calls, inquiries, and/or other oral or written communications from individual Councilmembers and/or members of their staff.
• Officeholder Committees Fact Sheet(PDF, 152KB)
  Fact sheet provides information for creating an officeholder committee and what type of expenditures can be made from it.
• FAQ - Campaign-Related Activities by Elected Officials, Candidates, City Officers, and Employees(PDF, 104KB)
  The City Attorney and the Public Ethics Commission provide answers to frequently asked questions ("FAQs") in the areas of use of City resources for political activity, political activity by City elected officials, candidates, employees, and boards/commissions, and contributions to and solicitations from candidates.