1. Santa Cruz-specific tax handling
- State sales tax: 7.25%. Local jurisdictions in Santa Cruz may add their own rate — verify with your local tax assessor.
- Late fees: CA statute Cal. Civ. Code §3287; §1671 (penalty rule) caps interest on unpaid invoices at 1.5% per month.
2. Standard event planner line items
- Planning package — billed by flat.
- Day-of coordination — billed by flat.
- Hourly consulting — billed by hour (~$125 default).
- Vendor management — % of spend — billed by pct (~$15 default).
3. Payment terms that work in Santa Cruz
Net 30 is standard for event planners. Most event planners in competitive markets like Santa Cruz require a 50% deposit upfront before scheduling work. Accept card and ACH on the invoice itself — Santa Cruz customers expect a one-click payment link in their inbox.
4. Licensing & disclosures
No license required. Liability insurance and venue COI requirements are standard.
Metro
Santa Cruz
State
CA
Net terms
30 days
Deposit
50%