Massachusetts sets a statewide minimum wage of $15.00 per hour under MGL Chapter 151, and generally preempts cities from adopting higher local minimum wages.
MGL Chapter 151 establishes Massachusetts wage and hour law, including the statewide minimum wage which reached $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2023. The tipped minimum wage is $6.75, with employers required to ensure total compensation reaches the regular minimum. Massachusetts case law and statutory framework treat wage levels as a matter of statewide concern, generally preempting municipalities from setting different rates for private employers. However, cities may impose higher wage floors for their own employees and contractors through living wage ordinances such as those in Boston and Cambridge.
Wage violations carry treble damages, attorney fees, and Attorney General civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation under MGL Chapter 149 Section 27C.
Bristol County, MA
Amplified music in Bristol County cities requires entertainment licenses from the local licensing board. Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton each regulate o...
Bristol County, MA
New Bedford and Fall River ban on-street overnight parking during declared winter snow emergencies. Taunton has no blanket overnight ban but enforces posted ...
Bristol County, MA
EV charger installations in Bristol County require electrical permit under 527 CMR 12. Massachusetts Stretch Code and Specialized Code (780 CMR Appendix 115....
Bristol County, MA
Fence materials in Bristol County cities follow local zoning bylaws. Wood, vinyl, and wrought iron are standard. Historic districts in New Bedford and Taunto...
Bristol County, MA
MassWildlife (MGL ch. 131 §5A as amended) prohibits intentional feeding of black bears statewide. Bristol County cities restrict feeding of deer, turkeys, an...
Bristol County, MA
Bristol County is not in a high wildfire-hazard zone like western states, but DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control enforces MGL ch. 48 §13 open-burning rules. F...
See how Acushnet Center's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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