What is the minimum wage in Santa Monica?
$18.47 an hour, which is $1.57 above the California floor of $16.90. Santa Monica sets its own rate by ordinance. It took effect July 1, 2026 and is adjusted each July 1, not on January 1 like the state rate.
Do I need a business license in Santa Monica?
Almost certainly yes. California cities license businesses individually, and Santa Monica 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.santamonica.gov, which is the official site.
Where are Santa Monica 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.
Federal Weekly monitors Santa Monica automatically and reviews anything that would change how a business operates here.
Latest from Santa Monica City Hall
Federal Weekly has not published a Santa Monica-specific report yet. A story will appear here only after a verified local action materially changes a business deadline, cost, permit, or duty.
View official agendas →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, against $18.47 in Santa Monica. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica | $18.47 | Baseline |
| West Hollywood | $20.25 | +$1.78 |
| Pasadena | $18.57 | +$0.10 |
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 Santa Monica 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?
Twice a year. The Santa Monica rate adjusts each July 1, and the state rate adjusts each January 1, which can also move the exempt salary threshold.