You can find more information regarding the MWO on the city's website.

Minimum Wage Rate 

• Effective July 1, 2026, the Malibu minimum wage is $19.92 per hour.

Future rate increases will be made annually based on the Regional Consumer Price Index.

• The Malibu minimum wage is higher than the standard California state minimum wage but not the state minimum wage rates for the fast food and health care industries. You must pay the higher minimum wage to employees eligible for it. For more information on the state minimum wage rates, see the HR Library’s Minimum Wage.

You can find the current Malibu minimum wage on the city's website.

Coverage and Eligibility

A covered employee (employee) under the MWO is any employee who:

• Performs at least two hours of work in one particular week in Malibu, whether full or part-time; and
• Is entitled to payment of a California minimum wage.

You must pay employees at least the Malibu minimum wage for each hour worked in Malibu. The Malibu minimum wage applies to employees working in Malibu, regardless of where the employer is located or whether the employee is a Malibu resident.3

Employees cannot waive their right to receive at least the Malibu minimum wage.4

You do not need to pay the Malibu minimum wage to individuals who are not entitled to the state minimum wage.5

For more information on these types of employees, see Minimum Wage.

Posting, Notice and Recordkeeping Requirements

The MWO does not specifically require you to provide employees notice of the Malibu minimum wage or their rights; however, the city has published a notice that it recommends you post in a conspicuous and accessible place at all locations where employees work.

• Malibu Minimum Wage Poster

In addition, you must display the California Minimum Wage Order, which can be found on CalChamber’s California and Federal Labor Law posters.

• California and Federal Labor Law Posters

Enforcement

The MWO is enforced by the city manager or designee.6

Violations of Malibu City Codes, including the MWO, can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or an infraction at the discretion of the city prosecutor. Misdemeanors can be punished by up to a year in the county jail or up to a $1,000 fine and infractions are punished by fines ranging from $100 to $500, depending upon the number of violations of the code in a year. Each day the MWO is violated is considered a separate offense.7

The California Labor Commissioner also has the authority to investigate and enforce local minimum wage and overtime provisions, including such provisions in the MWO, and to issue citations and penalties against employers for violations. However, the Labor Commissioner and the city cannot both cite the employer for the same violation.

Retaliation

Employees who participate in proceedings related to the MWO, or enforce their rights under the MWO, are protected against retaliation.8

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1. Malibu Mun. Code secs. 5.36.030A, 5.36.040

2. Malibu Mun. Code sec. 5.36.040B

3. Malibu Mun. Code secs. 5.36.030A, 5.36.040A

4. Malibu Mun. Code sec. 5.36.060

5 Malibu Mun. Code secs. 5.36.030A(2), 5.36.040A

6. Malibu Mun. Code sec. 5.36.080

7. Malibu Mun. Code secs. 1.16.010, 5.36.080

8. Malibu Mun. Code sec. 5.36.050