New California Laws Take Effect July 1, 2026: What Residents Need to Know

By Fatmeh Atieh Bakhit

A number of new laws and regulations took effect across California on July 1, 2026, bringing changes that affect millions of residents, workers, businesses, schools, and consumers. The new measures address wages, food safety, education, housing, transportation, and consumer protection.

Here are some of the most significant changes:

Minimum Wage Increases

Several California cities and counties have raised their local minimum wages, including:

• City of Los Angeles: $18.42 per hour
• Los Angeles County: $18.47 per hour
• Pasadena: $18.57 per hour
• Santa Monica: $18.47 per hour

In addition, some hotel, hospitality, and healthcare workers will receive higher minimum wages in certain jurisdictions, with rates reaching $25 per hour or more.

New Food Labeling Rules

California has adopted standardized food date labels to reduce consumer confusion and food waste. Products sold to consumers will now use:

• “Best if Used By” to indicate peak quality.
• “Use By” to indicate when a product should no longer be consumed for safety reasons.

The use of the label “Sell By” on consumer food products is being phased out.

Restaurant Allergen Disclosure

Restaurant chains with 20 or more locations are now required to identify major food allergens on their menus, whether printed or digital. The goal is to help customers with food allergies make safer dining choices.

Limits on Loud Streaming Advertisements

A new law prohibits streaming services from playing advertisements at a noticeably louder volume than the programs or movies being viewed, improving the viewing experience for consumers.

Changes for California Schools

Several education-related laws also took effect, including:

• School districts must adopt policies limiting student smartphone use during the school day.
• K–12 public schools are required to provide at least one gender-neutral restroom.
• Student identification cards for certain grade levels must include mental health crisis hotline information.

Autonomous Vehicle Regulations

Companies operating self-driving vehicles must comply with new safety requirements, including providing passengers with access to a live human representative during emergencies. Autonomous vehicles may also be subject to additional traffic enforcement provisions.

Housing Development Near Transit

New housing rules are intended to encourage residential development near public transit by streamlining approval for qualifying multi-family housing projects in designated areas.

Higher Gas Tax

California’s gasoline excise tax increased on July 1 as part of the state’s annual inflation adjustment, a change that could contribute to higher fuel prices.

Looking Ahead

State officials say these new laws are designed to strengthen consumer protections, improve workplace standards, enhance public safety, expand housing opportunities, and modernize California’s regulations. While supporters argue the measures will benefit residents over the long term, some business groups have expressed concerns about increased operating costs and regulatory compliance.

Residents are encouraged to review the new laws to understand how they may affect their daily lives.