Washington RCW 49.46 establishes a state minimum wage with annual CPI adjustments and permits cities to set higher local minimum wages, unlike many preemption states.
Washington's Minimum Wage Act, RCW chapter 49.46, sets a statewide minimum wage that adjusts annually based on the Consumer Price Index. As of 2026 the state minimum wage is $16.66 per hour, among the highest state minimums in the country. Unlike many states, Washington does not preempt local minimum wage ordinances; cities including Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Bellingham, Renton, and Burien have adopted higher local minimum wages. The state law sets a floor below which no employer may pay covered employees. Tipped employees are paid the full minimum wage with no tip credit allowed. Workers under 16 may be paid 85 percent of the minimum. The Department of Labor and Industries enforces wage requirements.
Employers paying below minimum wage face back wage liability, double damages, attorney fees, and civil penalties under RCW 49.46.100. Willful violations may include criminal misdemeanor penalties.
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood prohibits noise that disturbs the peace under LMC Chapter 8.36 (Noise Control). Residential quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM weeke...
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood has no local aircraft noise ordinance. Aircraft operations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) adjacent to Lakewood are governed by federal law and m...
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood prohibits frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal sounds that disturb the peace under LMC Chapter 8.36. Excessive barking is a noise control viol...
Lakewood, WA
Construction noise in Lakewood is restricted to weekday hours of 7 AM–10 PM and weekend/holiday hours of 9 AM–10 PM under the LMC Chapter 8.36 noise control ...
Lakewood, WA
Abandoned vehicles in Lakewood are subject to code enforcement as a nuisance. Lakewood Police Department handles abandoned vehicle reports for public streets...
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood street parking is governed by city traffic codes consistent with Washington State law. Standard rules apply regarding curb distance, fire hydrant cl...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in this county.
See how Lakewood's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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