Freelance payment laws · California · Checked Oct 10, 2026

California's Freelance Worker Protection Act, and Los Angeles.

Since January 1, 2025, a California client who hires a one-person business for professional services worth $250 or more must sign a written contract and pay within 30 days. Los Angeles had its own rule first; since 2025 it covers only the work the state's doesn't.

Before you startGet it in writing The contract, with the payment date. Ask for it in writing, so there's a record you did.
Work doneSend your invoiceInvoice the day you finish, so the 30 days and your due date line up.
Day 30Payment dueOr the date you agreed in writing.
Not paidRemind, then complain A court; a public prosecutor can also sue.

What the law says

	California Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988) · since Jan 1, 2025	Los Angeles Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance · since Jul 1, 2023
Applies at	$250: one contract, or all of this client's contracts in the 120 days before	$600: with this client in a calendar year
Who	A person or one-person business, incorporated or not, hired for professional services: design, photography, writing and editing, marketing, fine art and similar.	A person, or a company of one, for work done in the city of Los Angeles. Since 2025 it covers only work California's law doesn't (not professional services).
Contract	In writing, signed copy to you, with: both names and mailing addresses the work, itemized, with its value, rate and how you're paid the payment date, or how it's set the date you list your finished work by	In writing, with: both names, mailing addresses, phones and emails the work, its value, rate and how you're paid the payment date, or how it's set City sample contract (PDF)
Paid by	By the date in the contract, or within 30 days after you finish.	By the date in the contract, or within 30 days after the work.
Records	Your client keeps the contract 4 years.	You and your client each keep records 4 years.
Also	They can't make paying on time depend on you taking less, doing more, or handing over more rights. They can't punish you for using the law. You can't sign these rights away.	They can't punish you for using the law.
If not	Up to twice what's unpaid $1,000 for refusing a written contract you asked for Your lawyer's fees and costs	Up to twice what's unpaid $250 for refusing a written contract you asked for The contract's value for other violations Your lawyer's fees and costs
Complain to	A court; a public prosecutor can also sue	LA Office of Wage Standards, within 1 year
The law	Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 18100-18107. SB 988 (California Legislative Information)	LAMC § 189.100 et seq.. LA Office of Wage Standards: rules (Oct 20, 2025) · LAMC Article 10 (Ordinance 187782)

Professional services only

The state act covers the work the Labor Code calls professional services: graphic design, photography, writing and editing, marketing, fine art, grant writing and similar. It covers a one-person company too, incorporated or not, but not someone hiring you for their own home.

Which law in Los Angeles

For work done in the city since 2025, the state act covers professional services and the city's ordinance covers the rest, at $600 or more a year with one client (city rules, Oct 20, 2025). There's no state agency to complain to: you, or a public prosecutor, go to court.

General information from the law's own text, not legal advice. For your case, ask the agency named above or a lawyer.

Other places with a law

Or see every law in one table.