What is the minimum wage in Avalon?
$16.90 an hour, effective January 1, 2026. Avalon has no minimum wage ordinance of its own, so the California state rate applies. Higher industry rates can apply. 6 of the 89 jurisdictions in Los Angeles County set their own rate above the state floor.
Do I need a business license in Avalon?
Almost certainly yes. California cities license businesses individually, and Avalon runs its own process, fees, and renewal cycle. A license from a neighboring city does not carry over, and home-based businesses usually need one too. Start at www.cityofavalon.gov, which is the official site.
Where are Avalon business rules decided?
In city council meetings. Fee schedules, sign rules, outdoor dining, vending, and operating hours are all set locally, and they take effect whether or not a business hears about them first. Agendas are published here.
Avalon publishes its agendas through CivicPlus, which means they are machine-readable. We poll them on a rotating schedule.
Federal Weekly monitors Avalon automatically and reviews anything that would change how a business operates here.
Latest from Avalon City Hall
October 2, 2026 · Wages & Hours
Catalina Island Business Owner Ordered to Pay $1.5 Million in Wage Theft Case
A Catalina Island hotel and restaurant operator delivered $1.5 million to the court for unpaid wages and was ordered to pay $96,000 to California's Employment Development Department.
What if I have locations in more than one city?
You may owe different wages for identical work. West Hollywood requires $20.25, Pasadena requires $18.57, Santa Monica requires $18.47, Unincorporated Los Angeles County requires $18.47, Los Angeles requires $18.42, Malibu requires $17.91, against $16.90 in Avalon. The rule is that the employee is owed whichever applicable rate is highest, and the rate follows the location where the work is performed rather than where the business is registered.
| Jurisdiction | Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon | $16.90 | Baseline |
| West Hollywood | $20.25 | +$3.35 |
| Pasadena | $18.57 | +$1.67 |
| Santa Monica | $18.47 | +$1.57 |
| Unincorporated Los Angeles County | $18.47 | +$1.57 |
| Los Angeles | $18.42 | +$1.52 |
| Malibu | $17.91 | +$1.01 |
What state and federal rules also apply?
Local rules sit on top of state and federal ones, and the state and federal layers are usually the bigger exposure. Every business in Avalon is also subject to the same California and federal requirements we cover.
- California Investment-Adviser Filing Rules Change October 1
- California Corrects Southern California Public Works Pay Increases
- California Expands Greenhouse Gas Reporting for Cement and Hydrogen
- California Sets June 1, 2027 Deadline for Manufacturing Decarbonization Allowances
When should I check this again?
Each January 1, when the state rate is adjusted. The next change is expected January 1, 2027.