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Renton, Washington · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Renton, Washington
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 Washington Employment Compliance

Municipal ordinances operate concurrently with state and federal labor laws.

Washington Meal & rest breaks → All Washington Rules →

Separate Renton rules

No separate Renton 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 Renton figure.

Applicable state and federal rules

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

Meal & rest breaks · WashingtonChanged recently

Washington meal and rest breaks

30-minute meal period on shifts over 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours

Employees working more than 5 hours get a 30-minute meal period, and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked; an employee may not work more than 3 hours without a rest break.

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

Local notes & what to do

Washington has the highest state minimum wage in the country ($17.13 in 2026) and allows no tip credit. Its exempt salary threshold is also the nation's highest - $80,168.40 in 2026, set at 2.25 times the minimum wage at every employer size and scheduled to reach 2.5 times in 2028. Paid family and medical leave premiums rose to 1.13% of wages in 2026, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,647. Several Puget Sound cities set wages well above the state rate.

Official source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000) 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
Washington
Washington meal and rest breaks 		30-minute meal period on shifts over 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours 0–any employees
All industries 		Jan 1, 2000
Current 		Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000)
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Renton, Washington?

Washington · Meal & rest breaks

Rule name changed from not previously published to Washington meal and rest breaks. Summary changed from not previously published to Employees working more than 5 hours get a 30-minute meal period, and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked; an employee may not work more than 3 hours without a rest break.. Requirement changed from not previously published to 30-minute meal period on shifts over 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 Washington has the highest state minimum wage in the country ($17.13 in 2026) and allows no tip credit. Its exempt salary threshold is also the nation's highest - $80,168.40 in 2026, set at 2.25 times the minimum wage at every employer size and scheduled to reach 2.5 times in 2028. Paid family and medical leave premiums rose to 1.13% of wages in 2026, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,647. Several Puget Sound cities set wages well above the state rate.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000) · Effective Jan 1, 2000 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Meal & rest breaks in Renton, Washington

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

30-minute meal period on shifts over 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours. Employees working more than 5 hours get a 30-minute meal period, and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked; an employee may not work more than 3 hours without a rest break.

When did Washington meal and rest breaks take effect?

Effective January 1, 2000. Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000). Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Washington meal and rest breaks?

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

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

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

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