Minimum Wage Preemption: Thousand Oaks vs Ventura
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Thousand Oaks, CA and Ventura, CA?
Thousand Oaks has fewer restrictions than Ventura.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Ventura County
Thousand Oaks has not enacted a local minimum wage. All employers follow the California statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour, indexed annually for inflation under Labor Code §1182.12 and Senate Bill 3.
View full Thousand Oaks rules →Ventura, CA
Ventura County
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.
View full Ventura rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Thousand Oaks | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| TO local minimum wage | None adopted | - |
| CA minimum wage | $16.50/hr (2025-26) | - |
| Annual indexing | CPI-W each January 1 | - |
| Fast-food rate | $20/hr (AB 1228) | - |
| Enforcement | CA Labor Commissioner | - |
| Statewide Rate (2025) | - | $16.50/hour |
| Statute | - | Labor Code 1182.12 |
| Fast Food Rate | - | $20/hour |
| Local Higher Allowed | - | Yes |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Thousand Oaks FAQ
Does Thousand Oaks have its own minimum wage?
No. The City Council has not adopted a local wage ordinance, so the California statewide rate of $16.50 per hour applies to all employers.
Are small employers exempt?
No. As of January 2023, California eliminated the small-employer exemption. All employers, regardless of headcount, pay the same statewide minimum wage.
Ventura FAQ
What is California's minimum wage in 2025?
$16.50 per hour for all employers under Labor Code 1182.12. Fast-food workers earn $20 minimum and covered healthcare workers up to $25 under sector-specific laws.
Can California cities set higher minimum wages?
Yes. State law establishes a floor, not a ceiling. Many California cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Berkeley enforce higher local minimum wages.
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