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.
Labor Code 1182.12 establishes the statewide minimum wage with annual indexed adjustments tied to inflation. As of January 2025, the rate is $16.50 per hour for all California employers. Sector-specific minimums apply: $20 for fast-food workers under AB 1228 (Labor Code 1474) and $25 for covered healthcare workers under SB 525 (Labor Code 1182.14). California does not preempt local minimum wage ordinances; over 30 cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and West Hollywood set higher minimums. Employers must pay the highest applicable rate.
Violations subject employers to back wages, liquidated damages, civil penalties up to $100 per pay period for first violations and $250 thereafter under Labor Code 1197.1.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Cruz, CA
No Santa Cruz-specific ordinance directly regulates aircraft noise in flight; such regulation is federally preempted by the FAA, and California PUC 21669 set...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz prohibits barbed-wire fences, electrified or not, without a conditional fence permit, and bars any fence that creates a fire or traffic hazard. Ca...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz zoning code (SCMC 24.12.620) allows a maximum of six domestic animals on any residential lot, of which no more than three may be dogs and no more ...
Santa Cruz, CA
California restricts exotic pets through the Fish & Game Code and CDFW regulations — ferrets and hedgehogs are illegal statewide, and many wild/exotic specie...
Santa Cruz, CA
The City of Santa Cruz allows backyard recreational and warming fires daily unless wildfire danger is high. The fire must be no more than 3 feet in diameter ...
Santa Cruz, CA
The City of Santa Cruz has a Heritage Tree ordinance requiring a permit to remove heritage or significant trees, even on private property, with replacement r...
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