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Santa Monica, California · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Santa Monica, California
Meal & rest breaks.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for meal & rest breaks.

Notice: General informational guidance, not legal advice. Read the full legal disclaimer. Federal, state, and municipal regulations operate concurrently.
Part of California Employment Compliance

Municipal ordinances operate concurrently with state and federal labor laws.

California Meal & rest breaks → All California Rules →

Separate Santa Monica rules

No separate Santa Monica rule is published yet for meal & rest breaks. The state rule shown below applies unless a different local requirement is verified and published. Do not treat the state figure as a Santa Monica figure.

Applicable state and federal rules

These are state or federal requirements that may also apply within Santa Monica. Each entry remains labeled with its own jurisdiction and source.

Meal & rest breaks · CaliforniaChanged recently

California meal and rest breaks

30-minute meal period after 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours

Most employees get an unpaid 30-minute meal period when they work more than 5 hours (a second one after 10 hours) and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. Missing a required meal or rest break adds one hour of premium pay (Labor Code sections 512 and 226.7).

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in California · All industries
Effective
Jan 1, 2000

Local notes & what to do

California's minimum wage rose to $16.90 on January 1, 2026, which automatically lifted the exempt salary floor to $70,304 a year because the threshold is set at twice the minimum wage. California is unusual in having daily overtime (1.5x after 8 hours in a day, 2x after 12) and it allows no tip credit at all. Paid family leave benefits rose on January 1, 2025 to 90% of wages for workers earning under $63,000 a year. Many California cities set local minimum wages above the state rate.

Official source: California Department of Industrial Relations - Meal Periods FAQ Last checked Nov 1, 2026
No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
California
California meal and rest breaks 		30-minute meal period after 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours 0–any employees
All industries 		Jan 1, 2000
Current 		California Department of Industrial Relations - Meal Periods FAQ
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Santa Monica, California?

California · Meal & rest breaks

Rule name changed from not previously published to California meal and rest breaks. Summary changed from not previously published to Most employees get an unpaid 30-minute meal period when they work more than 5 hours (a second one after 10 hours) and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. Missing a required meal or rest break adds one hour of premium pay (Labor Code sections 512 and 226.7).. Requirement changed from not previously published to 30-minute meal period after 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours. Numeric amount changed from not previously published to not published. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Jan 1, 2000. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to California's minimum wage rose to $16.90 on January 1, 2026, which automatically lifted the exempt salary floor to $70,304 a year because the threshold is set at twice the minimum wage. California is unusual in having daily overtime (1.5x after 8 hours in a day, 2x after 12) and it allows no tip credit at all. Paid family leave benefits rose on January 1, 2025 to 90% of wages for workers earning under $63,000 a year. Many California cities set local minimum wages above the state rate.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: California Department of Industrial Relations - Meal Periods FAQ · Effective Jan 1, 2000 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Meal & rest breaks in Santa Monica, California

What is the California meal & rest breaks requirement for 0+ employees?

30-minute meal period after 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours. Most employees get an unpaid 30-minute meal period when they work more than 5 hours (a second one after 10 hours) and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. Missing a required meal or rest break adds one hour of premium pay (Labor Code sections 512 and 226.7).

When did California meal and rest breaks take effect?

Effective January 1, 2000. Source: California Department of Industrial Relations - Meal Periods FAQ. Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow California meal and rest breaks?

Employers with 0 or more employees in California across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating California meal and rest breaks?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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