Candidate Resources

Eligibility to Run for Office


  • A citizen of the United States
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A resident and qualified voter of the respective district, at least 25 days immediately preceding the filing of nomination papers. Candidates must provide all of the following additional information to verify their 25-day residency requirement, and all information and requirements must be current and valid as of the date of submission through the election and assuming office:
    • Proof of Residency 
      • Proof of home ownership (e.g. a copy of a grant deed, a mortgage payment billing statement, or other document verifying home ownership and residency); and evidence of a homeowner’s property tax exemption filed with the Orange County Assessor; or Rental or Lease agreement verifying residence at the specified address at least 25 days prior to filing nomination papers, or an affidavit signed by the landlord or property owner.
      • Proof of motor vehicle registration showing the candidate’s address is consistent with the addresses shown on the nomination papers.
      • A Southern California Edison bill in the Candidate’s name showing that the service address is consistent with the address in the candidate’s nomination papers.
      • An affidavit, in a form approved by the City Clerk and the City attorney under penalty of perjury verifying residency.
  • For more information, view the Candidate Residency Requirements.

Term of Office

The City Council Members, City Clerk, and City Treasurer serve four-year terms. City Council Members are limited to three (3) consecutive terms.


Campaign Contribution Limits

The City of Placentia has no local campaign contribution limits and abides by the State of California's Contribution Limits.

2021-2022 Contribution Limits to State and Local* Candidates Per Election

Candidate or Officeholder
Contributor Sources

Person (individual, business entity, committee/PAC)Small Contributor Committee
(see definition below)		Political Party
City and County Candidates in Cities and Counties That Have Not Enacted Limits     $4,900$4,900    $4,900


*Pursuant to Assembly Bill 571 (Stats. 2019, Ch. 556, AB 571 Mullin), beginning January 1, 2021, the State campaign contribution limit will by default apply to city and county candidates when the city or county has not already enacted a contribution limit on such candidates. AB 571 Fact Sheet.

Explanation of Terms 

Person – An individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, company, corporation, limited liability company, association, committee, and any other organization or group of persons acting in concert.

Small Contributor Committee – Any committee that meets all of the following: 1) has been in existence for at least six months; 2) receives contributions from 100 or more persons; 3) no one person has contributed more than $200 per calendar year; and 4) the committee makes contributions to five or more candidates. 

Political Party Committee - The state central committee or county central committee of an organization that meets the requirements for recognition as a political party outlined in Section 5100 of the Elections Code.

For more information, visit http://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/campaign-rules.html.