Free Blank California LLC Operating Agreement (2026)
Download an empty LLC Operating Agreement template for California: the same statute-aware layout our generator uses, with blank lines to fill in by hand. No account, no email, no watermark.
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Answer a few questions — we apply the California rules, check your entries and build a clean PDF and Word.
California rules that this document follows
| LLC statute | California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA)Source: Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.01 et seq. |
|---|---|
| Formation document / filing office | Articles of Organization — California Secretary of State |
| Operating agreement required? | Yes (may be oral; written is far safer)Source: Cal. Corp. Code §§ 17701.02(s), 17701.10 (operating agreement may be oral, in a record, implied, or any combination; SOS form LLC-1 presumes one exists) |
| Formation fee | $70.00 |
| Annual report | $20.00 — Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years by end of formation monthSource: Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.09; Gov't Code § 12190 |
| State LLC / franchise tax | Annual franchise tax $800 (Rev. & Tax. Code § 17941) plus LLC fee of $900-$11,790 on California gross receipts ≥ $250,000 (§ 17942) |
| Community property | Yes — a married Member's spouse may own half of the interest; the Spousal Consent page is generated for married Members |
| Duty-of-loyalty waiver | May be limited only if not manifestly unreasonable; competing activities require disclosureSource: Cal. Corp. Code §§ 17704.07 (majority in interest), 17704.04 (distributions per contributions), 17705.03 (charging order; foreclosure permitted) |
| Charging order exclusive remedy (SMLLC) | noSource: Cal. Corp. Code §§ 17704.07 (majority in interest), 17704.04 (distributions per contributions), 17705.03 (charging order; foreclosure permitted) |
Frequently asked questions
Is the blank template free?
Yes. The blank LLC Operating Agreement is free to download as PDF or Word — no account, no watermark. The paid version is the completed document our generator builds from your answers.
Is it valid in California?
The template follows the California rules listed on this page (reviewed September 2026). A blank form becomes a binding document only once it is completed correctly and signed by the parties. Check the state facts below and consider an attorney for unusual situations.
Should I fill it by hand or online?
Online is safer: the generator applies California limits and notice periods, validates your entries and produces a clean PDF and Word file. Filling by hand works for simple cases — write clearly, initial every page and keep a signed copy for each party.
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