California’s July 2026 Laws Bring Wage Hikes, School Phone Limits and New Consumer Rules

California will begin enforcing a wide set of new laws and local rules on July 1, 2026, affecting workers, schools, restaurants, grocery labels, streaming platforms, driverless cars, fertility coverage, and housing near transit.

The changes will affect residents across Los Angeles County, major California cities, public and charter schools, large restaurant chains, food manufacturers, health care employers, and autonomous vehicle companies. Several measures approved in earlier sessions now reach their effective date.

Southern California Workers See Higher Pay Floors

The California minimum wage rate stands at $16.90 per hour in 2026, but several local jurisdictions will require higher rates beginning July 1.

Unincorporated Los Angeles County will raise its minimum wage to $18.47 per hour. The City of Los Angeles will move to $18.42. Pasadena will increase its rate to $18.57.

Santa Monica will also rise to $18.47. Malibu will move to $17.91. Employers must follow the highest applicable wage when local rules exceed the state floor.

Hotel and hospitality workers will see larger increases in some cities. Covered hotel workers in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Glendale will move to $25 per hour. Long Beach hotel workers will move to $26.50 per hour.

West Hollywood hotel workers will move to $20.87 per hour. The changes place hospitality workers among the biggest wage beneficiaries in the July rollout.

Health care workers remain under a separate wage structure. Large hospitals and certain large health care systems will move toward higher minimum wage levels. Other covered facilities follow different rates based on size, setting, and category.

Food Labels Get Standardized Wording

The food date labeling rules taking effect July 1 will change how many food and beverage products display freshness and safety information.

“Best if used by” and “best if frozen by” will refer to quality, taste, or freshness. “Use by” and “use by or freeze by” will refer to safety deadlines for higher-risk items.

Consumer-facing “sell by” dates will largely be prohibited. Those labels are often used for store inventory, but shoppers frequently interpret them as safety warnings.

The change is designed to reduce confusion and food waste. It also gives manufacturers clearer language for separating freshness guidance from safety deadlines.

The law includes exemptions for certain products, including infant formula, eggs, and beer. Grocery stores may still use “packed on” dates for some prepared foods if they follow the required format.

Chain Restaurants Must Flag Allergens

Large restaurant chains will face new allergen disclosure rules beginning July 1. The requirement applies to chains with 20 or more locations nationwide.

Covered restaurants must disclose major allergens in menu items. The list includes milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, fish, shellfish, and sesame.

Restaurants may provide the information on printed menus, menu boards, or digital tools. If a restaurant uses a QR code or digital format, it must also provide a written option for customers who cannot access it.

The rule does not apply the same way to small independent restaurants. It targets large chains already operating with standardized menus and broader compliance systems.

Schools Must Restrict Student Phones

The school smartphone policy deadline requires every California school district, charter school, and county office of education to adopt a policy that limits or prohibits student smartphone use by July 1.

The law does not create a statewide ban. Local education leaders must decide how restrictions will work on their campuses.

Policies must cover smartphone use while students are at school or under school supervision. Schools must update those policies at least every five years.

The measure targets classroom distraction and student mental health concerns. Districts will still need to address emergency access, medical needs, and family communication.

Student Restrooms and ID Cards Change

Public and charter schools serving grades 1 through 12 must provide at least one all gender restroom at each covered school site. The restroom must be clearly marked and available for voluntary student use.

Schools may convert an existing restroom if it meets the law’s requirements. Temporary closures are allowed for documented safety issues, immediate threats, or repairs.

Student identification cards will also change. Covered middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities must include The Trevor Project’s crisis hotline information.

The hotline number is 1 866 488 7386. Students may also text START to 678 678.

Streaming Ads Face Volume Limits

Streaming platforms serving California viewers will be barred from playing commercials louder than the video content they accompany. The rule takes effect July 1.

The law targets sudden volume spikes when ads interrupt shows, movies, or online videos. It updates a long-running consumer complaint for the streaming era.

The rule does not restrict ad content or ban commercials. It focuses on audio levels between programming and advertising.

Driverless Cars Get Emergency Requirements

Autonomous vehicle companies operating driverless fleets on public roads must maintain a free, 24-hour emergency response hotline. The rule applies when vehicles operate without a human driver.

Driverless vehicles must also allow two-way communication between emergency responders near the vehicle and a remote human operator. Police and firefighters may use the system when vehicles block traffic, enter restricted areas, or fail to respond at emergency scenes.

Law enforcement will also be able to issue notices of noncompliance for alleged traffic violations by autonomous vehicles. The rule places responsibility on the company rather than a human motorist.

Transit Housing Rules Move Ahead

The transit-oriented housing law will allow qualifying housing developments on certain residential, mixed-use, and commercial sites near eligible transit stops beginning July 1.

The rule is expected to affect dense regions, including Los Angeles County and the Bay Area. It limits how local zoning can block certain multifamily housing near major transit corridors.

Supporters say the law can increase housing near rail and frequent transit service. Critics argue it could reduce local control and change single-family neighborhoods near stations.

Fertility Coverage Expands

California will also expand fertility treatment coverage under certain large group health plans. The law includes infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF.

Coverage includes up to three completed egg retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers when medically appropriate. The requirement does not apply to every health insurance policy in the state.

The latest compliance deadline is July 1. Employers, schools, restaurants, food manufacturers, streaming companies, autonomous vehicle firms, and local governments are expected to adjust policies before the new rules take effect.