California Paid Sick Leave: State and City Requirements for 2026

State Baseline: 5 Days / 40 Hours

Since January 1, 2024, California requires employers to provide at least 5 days (40 hours) of paid sick leave per year. Employees begin accruing sick leave on their first day of work at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, or employers can front-load the full 40 hours at the beginning of each year. Sick leave can be used for the employee own health, a family member illness, or for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Cities That Require More

San Francisco requires up to 72 hours of paid sick leave. Los Angeles mandates 48 hours. Oakland requires up to 72 hours for large employers. San Diego provides 5 days with broader family member definitions. Berkeley, Emeryville, and Santa Monica also have local sick leave ordinances that may exceed the state minimum. Always check the local ordinance for the city where your employee works.

How Accrual Works

Employers can choose between accrual and front-loading methods. With accrual, employees earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Unused sick leave carries over to the next year, but employers can cap the total balance at 80 hours (state level) or higher depending on the local ordinance. With front-loading, you grant the full amount at the beginning of each benefit year with no carryover required.

Recordkeeping and Notices

Employers must show sick leave balances on each pay stub or in a separate written statement provided with each paycheck. You must display the state paid sick leave poster in the workplace. Records of sick leave accrual and usage must be kept for at least 3 years. Failure to provide required sick leave can result in penalties of $250 per employee per violation.