Petaluma Minimum Wage

Petaluma has a local minimum wage that is higher than the State minimum wage. This minimum wage applies to hours worked within the city limits. The wage for 2022 is $15.85. Effective January 1, 2023, the Petaluma minimum wage will be $17.06 per hour for all employers, regardless of size. The 2023 wage reflects an increase of 7.6% based on June prior year CPI-W, as shown in this table – CPI-W table.

Check out our minimum wage web page for more info about the Petaluma minimum wage ordinance.

The Petaluma living wage ordinance applies to employees of the City or for-profit entities that contract with the City. The Petaluma Living Wage must be paid for hours worked on behalf of the City and/or work funded by City monies, regardless of where that work happens.

The Petaluma minimum wage ordinance applies to anyone who qualifies as a non-exempt employee under State minimum wage laws, for hours worked within the Petaluma City limits. Most employers, including businesses and nonprofits, are subject to Petaluma’s minimum wage ordinance; the exceptions are federal and state agencies. Tips and benefits cannot be considered when calculating the Petaluma minimum wage. Click HERE for information about the Petaluma minimum wage.

Employees who believe they are not being paid in accordance with the Petaluma Living Wage ordinance or the Petaluma Minimum Wage Ordinance should contact the City’s Economic Development Division at [email protected].

This ordinance covers all employees who work at least 2 hours per week in the City limits and who qualify for the minimum wage according to the California Labor Code. Tips and benefits cannot be included when calculating the Petaluma minimum wage.

The ordinance does not apply to Federal, State, or County agencies. It also does not apply to work done outside the Petaluma City limits or to time an employee spends travelling through the city to get to another destination.

With the exception of Federal, State, and County agencies, all employers are subject to the Petaluma minimum wage.

State Wage Orders regulate wages, hours, and working conditions of industries. Under these wage orders, certain types of employees must be paid a defined percentage over the state minimum wage. For example, auto technicians who bring their own tools must be paid twice the state minimum wage.

The state minimum wage can be used to calculate wages for these employees, as long as their hourly wage is no less than the Petaluma minimum wage. Because this is a complex issue, we recommend you check with an attorney or a labor law expert.

Commissions can be factored in when calculating the Petaluma minimum wage. Employers shall use State guidelines for calculating minimum wage for commissioned employees. The state minimum wage can be used to calculate wages for these employees, as long as their hourly wage is no less than the Petaluma minimum wage. Because this is a complex issue, we recommend you check with an attorney or a labor law expert.

Similar to the State’s wage requirements, the proposed Petaluma ordinance requires employers to inform employees of the local wage and their rights at the onset of their employment and on an annual basis.

Employers also need to put up posters or flyers listing the current wage and employee rights. These flyers need to be in the languages spoken by at least 10 percent of the workers. Each year the City will make available a .pdf copy of a sample poster with updated wage information.

Click below for a sample 2023 notification letter and 2023 poster.

Notification Letter (in English and Spanish)
Poster (in English and Spanish)

The Petaluma minimum wage ordinance gives employees, an employee representative, or any other person the right to report suspected violations. It also gives them the right to bring legal action against an employer. Finally, it discusses remedies if a violation is found.

The City, rather than the State, is responsible for enforcing the proposed ordinance, just as it is responsible for enforcing any other law adopted by the City Council.

The proposed ordinance gives the City the right to investigate suspected violations and to request employee records as part of its investigation.

Other cities with similar ordinances have found that most violations are the result of an oversight by the employer or confusion about the types of employees covered, rather than an intentional effort to cheat employees. These cities have taken a conciliatory approach to correcting any employer errors.

The City of Petaluma is following the conciliatory model as well.

To report an employer who is suspected of not paying the correct minimum wage, please complete the Petaluma minimum wage violation intake form or send an email to [email protected].