NOTE: For some of the resources described below, membership may be required to access the full benefits of the organization.
California State Association of Counties: News and advocacy for and by county governments before the state Legislature and agencies, and the federal government; offers CSAC Webinar Library of recordings and presentation materials on county policy, program, and legislative priorities.
International Municipal Lawyers Association: non-profit organization to advance the interests and education of local government lawyers.
League of California Cities: association of California city officials, offering briefings, programs, and other materials in topic areas such as cannabis regulation, addressing homelessness, etc.
National Association of Counties: national organization representing county governments before the federal government; offers Issue Areas coverage with advocacy, program highlights and toolkits, and policy analysis in variety of sectors covered by county law.
National Association of Regional Councils: national advocacy for regional planning and programming, with emphasis on transportation and economic growth.
National League of Cities: advocate for over 19,000 represented member cities, offers Resources and Trainings (toolkits, guides, case studies, and other materials) on a variety of topics of municipal programs and policy.
U.S. Conference of Mayors: nonpartisan organization of over 1,400 cities with >30,000 population.
California Local Government Documents (IGS Library): archived, born-digital publications including: climate action plans, Bay Area city and county financial documents (including budgets and annual financial reports), and county grand jury reports.
California Local Planning Documents (IGS Library): California's 500+ cities and counties issue periodically updated planning documents (as consolidated general plans, or as separate land use, open space, housing, conservation, noise, seismic safety, transportation, etc. plans). UCB's Institute for Governmental Studies Library collects these documents online and in print, listed in its Inventory of Planning Documents (sortable by jurisdiction, plan type, date, or title).
Office of Planning and Research (OPR): state coordination office with basic information on California local planning agencies, including annual survey of recent planning activities, accomplishments, and trends; major focus areas include environmental quality, climate risk, economic growth, regional development planning.
Government Compensation in California (State Controller): database on salary and other compensation of public employee positions in cities, counties, and special districts.
State and County Quick Facts (U.S. Census Bureau): comparative information on local government; includes subject guide.
State of the Cities Data Systems (HUD): data set on building permits, plus links to current datasets on city demographics, economics and finances, crime, and home loans.