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Mesa, AZ Employment Preemption: Paid Leave Preemption (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Accrual
1 hour per 30 worked
Large employer cap
40 hours yearly
Small employer cap
24 hours yearly
Preemption
ARS 23-204

Summary

Mesa cannot mandate paid leave beyond Arizona's statewide standard. Prop 206 grants paid sick leave at 1 hour per 30 worked, capped at 40 hours yearly for employers under 15 workers and 40 hours for larger ones. ARS Section 23-204 preempts richer local benefits.

A. The regulation of employee benefits, including nonwage compensation, paid and unpaid leave and other absences, meal breaks and rest periods, is of statewide concern. The regulation of nonwage employee benefits pursuant to this chapter and federal law is not subject to further regulation by a city, town or other political subdivision of this state.

B. This section does not apply to any employee benefit, including nonwage compensation, paid and unpaid leave and other absences, meal breaks and rest periods, provided by a city, town or other political subdivision of this state to any of its employees.

Source: Arizona Revised StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Arizona Proposition 206 (2016) created statewide earned paid sick time. Workers accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with annual caps of 40 hours for businesses with 15 or more employees and 24 hours for smaller employers. Sick time can be used for personal illness, family care, or domestic violence absences. ARS Section 23-204 preempts Mesa from layering local paid leave ordinances above state rules, meaning Mesa cannot require longer accruals, broader uses, or additional paid family leave. Employers may offer more voluntarily.

Violations & Fines

Denying state-mandated paid sick time accrual in Mesa, refusing protected uses, or retaliating against workers using leave triggers Industrial Commission of Arizona enforcement, back pay, and civil penalties under Prop 206.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mesa require more paid leave than Arizona?
No. ARS Section 23-204 preempts cities from setting richer paid leave standards. Mesa workers receive only Prop 206 statewide accruals unless their individual employer offers more voluntarily.
How much sick time do Mesa employees earn?
Workers accrue 1 hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours per year at companies with 15 plus employees and 24 hours at smaller Arizona businesses.

Sources & Official References

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