Santa Clara County has no county paid-leave ordinance. Workers in unincorporated areas follow California SB-616's five-day statewide floor. San Jose and a few other cities have not enacted higher local rules, so SB-616 governs across the county.
California SB-616 (2023) amended the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act to require at least 40 hours or five 8-hour days of paid sick leave per year for all California employees. Santa Clara County has not enacted a separate county paid-leave ordinance for unincorporated areas, so SB-616 governs uniformly. Accrual is one hour per 30 worked, or employers may front-load 40 hours at the start of each year. Carryover is capped at 80 hours. Leave covers personal illness, family care, and safe time for domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The California Labor Commissioner enforces. Cities like San Jose generally follow the state floor without higher local mandates.
Labor Commissioner penalties up to $4,000 per employee for denial of leave or retaliation, plus three times unpaid leave value or $250 (whichever is greater). Administrative fines and private rights of action under Labor Code §246 also apply.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, the County Noise Ordinance (Title B, Division B11, Chapter VIII of the County Ordinance Code) sets exterior noise limit...
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, fence height is regulated by the County Zoning Ordinance administered by the Department of Planning and Development. Fe...
Santa Clara County, CA
ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County has banned the sale, posses...
Santa Clara County, CA
Residential pools and spas in unincorporated Santa Clara County are governed by California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929 (the Pool Sa...
Santa Clara County, CA
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows movable tiny homes as a substitute for one Accessory Dwelling Unit under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.10.015(E), adopt...
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, sheds are regulated as accessory buildings under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.020. A shed whose combined length plus w...
See how Santa Clara County's paid leave preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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