Item #04
Date: August 18, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anissa Leung, Finance Director
Subject: Amend Marysville Municipal Code § 5.24.050 to Remove the $500 Surety Bond Requirement and Update Language to Include Digital Photography Recommendation:
Pass a motion to 1) approve an amendment to the Marysville Municipal Code § 5.24.050, to remove the requirement for resident studio photographers doing business within the City of Marysville to acquire a $500 surety bond as part of the business license process and 2) update the ordinance language to include digital photography.
Rationale for Recommendation:
Requiring surety bonds for photographers and filmmakers is an outdated practice as the State of California does not require state-level occupational licenses for general photography or film. Instead, there are recommendations for municipalities and other local entities to rely on standard certificates of liability insurance.
Additionally, the current ordinance does not include digital photography as a form of allowable photography. The Marysville Municipal Code should be updated to reflect modern technological advancements.
Discussion & Analysis:
The City of Marysville adopted an ordinance in 1980 to establish a business license process for photographers, which was initially defined as “derivatives…that include and refer to all work and processes required to be done or used in reproducing from an exposed photographic film or plate a positive image or likeness of the person (or object) of whom the exposure was taken and of making one or more copies thereof, and of fixing, toning, retouching, washing and trimming the photograph and material upon which same is reproduced prior to delivery thereof to the purchaser.” Currently, it does not include language for digital photography as the ordinance predates the existence of a fully digital camera, which was invented in 1988. In conjunction with the current language, the requirement for a $500 surety bond should also be removed as it is an outdated practice and is not a requirement from the State or other governing agency.
Environmental Review:
The action proposed in this item is administrative in nature and does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Item #04
Legal review:
This item has been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
Goal #1: Increase Fiscal Sustainability
Fiscal Analysis:
There is no associated cost with this administrative amendment. However, it will decrease the potential for future litigation upon removal of unnecessary and burdensome requirements for residents and business owners.
Attachments:
1) Amended Ordinance No. XXXX (red-lined)