Employment Preemption in King County, WA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in King County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of King County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Minimum Wage Preemption

Washington's statewide minimum wage under RCW 49.46.020 is $16.66 per hour in 2026 with annual inflation adjustments; cities including Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Renton set higher local floors under their own ordinances.

Washington Minimum Wage And Local Higher Floors

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Paid Leave Preemption

Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program (RCW 49.86) provides up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave, and RCW 49.46.200 requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave per 40 hours worked.

Paid Family Medical Leave And Sick Leave Standards

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Employment Preemption by City in King County

1 cities in King County have their own employment preemption rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

SeattlePop. 737,015

3 verified rules • Minimum Wage Preemption, Paid Leave Preemption

All King County ordinances

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King County Ordinance Hub →