How much California’s largest cities and counties have paid lobbyists in 2025

Just like big companies and other interest groups, California cities and counties hire private lobbying firms to represent their interests in Sacramento. The practice, which was the subject of a Bee story published Dec. 22, is widespread and results in large sums of money, spread across taxpayers of various state jurisdictions, going to private firms through retainer fees each year.

Here are what some of the biggest counties and cities spent on lobbying firms through the first three quarters of 2025, according to public filings.

Counties

Los Angeles County: A little more than $429,000, in fees to five firms.

San Diego County: Just under $300,000, in payments to two firms.

Orange County: $207,000 to one firm.

San Bernardino County: A little more than $400,000, in payments to two firms.

Santa Clara County: $286,500, in payments to two firms.

Cities

City of Los Angeles: A little more than $413,000, in payments to two firms.

San Jose: $225,000 to one firm.

San Francisco (San Francisco County does not report separate payments): A little more than $235,000, to one firm.

Oakland: $336,000, to one firm.

Sacramento: $114,000, to two firms.