Minimum Wage Preemption: Cleveland vs Lakewood
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Cleveland, OH and Lakewood, OH?
Cleveland has fewer restrictions than Lakewood.
Cleveland, OH
Cuyahoga County
Ohio HB 494 (2018) and Constitution Section 34a bar Cleveland from setting a local minimum wage above the statewide rate, currently $10.70 per hour. A 2016 Cleveland $15 ballot drive was blocked before voters could decide.
View full Cleveland rules →Lakewood, OH
Cuyahoga County
Ohio's constitutional minimum wage (Article II Section 34a) sets a state floor that adjusts annually with inflation, while ORC 4111.02 limits local action.
View full Lakewood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cleveland | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio minimum | 10.70 dollars per hour | - |
| Preemption statute | ORC 4111, HB 494 (2018) | - |
| Constitution | Article II Section 34a | - |
| Cleveland local rate | Prohibited | - |
| Federal floor | 7.25 dollars per hour | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cleveland FAQ
Can Cleveland raise its own minimum wage?
No. HB 494 expressly preempts municipal minimum wages above Ohio's rate. Only a statewide ballot initiative amending Section 34a, like Issue 2 in 2006, can change the floor.
What happened to Cleveland's $15 push?
A 2016 ballot petition was withdrawn after the legislature passed HB 494 preempting cities. Council later refocused on Chapter 189 living-wage rules for city contractors, which remain valid.
Lakewood FAQ
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