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 sets a statewide minimum wage under RCW 49.46.020, originally adopted by Initiative 688 in 1998 and raised by Initiative 1433 in 2016. The Department of Labor and Industries adjusts the wage each January based on the Consumer Price Index, reaching $16.66 per hour in 2026. Washington does not preempt cities from adopting higher floors, unlike many states. Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Renton set higher minimum wages by ordinance or initiative. Unincorporated King County uses the state minimum wage and has no separate local floor.
Paying below the applicable state or local minimum wage can trigger back pay, interest, double damages, and civil penalties under chapter 49.46 RCW, plus separate enforcement by city labor standards offices.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bellevue, WA
Outdoor music must comply with BCC 9.18 limits. Special events with amplified sound require a noise variance from the City Clerk and typically must end by 10...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue treats habitual barking as a nuisance under BCC Title 8 and BCC 9.18. King County Regional Animal Services investigates complaints and issues warnin...
Bellevue, WA
Aircraft noise is federally preempted by the FAA. Bellevue sits in the Sea-Tac contour near Renton Municipal Airport. Complaints go to Port of Seattle Aviati...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue enforces RCW 46.55 and BCC 11.23 against vehicles left on streets more than 72 hours or stored inoperable on private property, with impoundment and ...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones; chain link is allowed but discouraged in front yards by design guid...
Bellevue, WA
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. LUC 20.20.400 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. Get a survey ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Bellevue's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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