California paid sick leave
In effect since January 1, 2024
1 hour for every 30 hours worked (or front-loaded)
All employers must let employees accrue and use up to 40 hours of paid sick leave a year.
| Accrual | 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (or front-loaded) |
|---|---|
| Annual cap | 40 hours An employer may limit use to 40 hours or 5 days a year and total accrual to 80 hours or 10 days. |
| Who must provide it | All employers |
| Waiting period | Must work 30 days for the employer within a year in California. Leave can be used after the 90th day of employment. |
| Carryover | Accrued leave carries over, up to the employer's accrual cap (at least 80 hours or 10 days). |
| Front-loading | Allowed |
| Payout when employment ends | Not required. If the employee is rehired within 12 months, the unused balance must be restored. |
| Covered uses | Diagnosis, care, treatment or preventive care for the employee or a family member. Since January 1, 2025, also needs of victims of a qualifying act of violence and their family members. |
Local sick leave laws in California
These places have their own ordinance. Employers there follow whichever rule is more generous.
- Los Angeles: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, or 48 hours front-loaded, up to 48 hours
- Oakland: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked in Oakland, up to 72 hours
- San Diego: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked in the city (or 40 hours awarded at the start of the benefit year), up to 40 hours
- San Francisco: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 72 hours
Details and exceptions
- Use and accrual caps rose from 24 hours/3 days and 48 hours/6 days on January 1, 2024 (SB 616).
- Uses for victims of a qualifying act of violence were added January 1, 2025.
- Local ordinances can require more: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Diego and Santa Monica. Unincorporated LA County and West Hollywood were not checked.
Law: Cal. Labor Code §§ 245-249
Running payroll in California?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office (DLSE) · data as of October 8, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.