How Long Does a Client Have to Pay a Freelancer in California?
The answer is 30 days — unless your written contract specifies a different date. After that, double damages kick in automatically.
California SB 988 Requirements Overview
Under the California Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988), all business-to-freelancer agreements valued at $250 or more must be in writing. The contract must be executed prior to commencing work, and final payments must be cleared within 30 days of invoice receipt, unless a mutual written timeline is specified.
Key Legal Notice:
- Failure to provide a written contract is a direct statutory violation.
- Hiring parties who pay late face double damages and attorney fee liabilities.
- SB 988 rights cannot be waived by any contractual clauses.
Photographer & Videographer SB 988 Contract Template
Review and copy this basic statutory template text. It contains the strict boilerplate language required by the State of California, customized specifically for freelance photographer & videographers.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY & VISUAL MEDIA AGREEMENT ================================================== This Visual Media Production Agreement is drafted in strict accordance with California SB 988 guidelines. 1. PARTIES: - Media Provider: [Your Name / Photography Studio] - Client: [Client Agency / Brand Name] 2. SCOPE OF PRODUCTION & RAW ASSETS: - Scope: Commercial Photography, Video Editing, and Creative Asset Delivery. - RAW Files: RAW Deliverables remain exclusively locked under the photographer's copyright until the Client settles 100% of the agreed compensation. 3. PAYMENT STRUCTURE: - Contract Value: $[Enter Amount] - Settlement Window: Client must settle all outstanding invoices within 30 days of final visual media watermarked delivery. 4. STATUTORY ENFORCEMENT & DOUBLE DAMAGES: - Continued commercial usage of delivered assets during an active payment default constitutes a willful violation of CA SB 988, rendering the Client liable for double statutory damages and collection costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the 30-day payment rule the same for all freelance work in California?
A: Yes, unless the written contract specifies a different date. But that date cannot be used to waive the contractor's statutory rights under SB 988.
Q: Does the 30-day clock start from when work is done or when invoice is sent?
A: It starts from the date the freelancer submits the invoice, not the project completion date — unless the contract specifies otherwise.