Employment Preemption in North Carolina (2026)
6 rules on the books across North Carolina, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Minimum Wage Preemption
Whether your state prevents cities from setting a higher local minimum wage, and what the statewide wage floor is.
Charlotte
Heavy RestrictionsCharlotte cannot set a citywide private-sector minimum wage. N.C.G.S. § 95-25.1(b) preempts local wage ordinances…
Read full rule →Raleigh
Heavy RestrictionsRaleigh cannot set a citywide private-sector minimum wage. N.C.G.S. § 95-25.1(b) preempts municipal wage ordinances…
Read full rule →Greensboro
Few RestrictionsGreensboro cannot set its own minimum wage because North Carolina General Statute 95-25.1 preempts local wage…
Read full rule →Paid Leave Preemption
Whether your state blocks cities from mandating paid sick leave or paid family leave for private employers.
Charlotte
Heavy RestrictionsCharlotte cannot require paid sick leave or paid family leave from private employers. N.C.G.S. § 95-25.1(b) preempts…
Read full rule →Raleigh
Heavy RestrictionsRaleigh cannot require private employers to provide paid sick leave or paid family leave. N.C.G.S. § 95-25.1(b)…
Read full rule →Worker Scheduling Preemption
State limits on local "predictive scheduling" or "fair workweek" ordinances that would require advance notice of shifts.