--- title: "California Child Labor Laws for Family Businesses | Kids Payroll" url: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/california/ description: "Child labor laws in California: minimum working age, hour restrictions, work permit requirements, and family business exemptions for 2026." lang: en --- # California Child Labor Laws for Family Businesses Last updated: January 1, 2026 Min. Wage: $16.90/hr (2026) California Department of Labor (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/dlse-cl.htm) ### Family Business Exemptions Strict Rules No Broad Exemption - IMPORTANT: California is stricter than federal law. - Work permits are required even for family businesses when the child receives financial pay. - Exemptions exist only for unpaid training/discipline and agricultural/domestic labor on parent-owned property. - Workers' compensation insurance is required for all employees including the employer's own children. ### Minimum Working Age 14 years old for most non-agricultural work. Exceptions: - No state minimum for domestic/agricultural work on family-owned property. - Work permits still required for paid employment even in family businesses. ### Hours Restrictions Under 14 - Generally may not work. Ages 14-15 - Max 3 hrs on school days, 8 hrs on non-school days. - Max 18 hrs during school weeks, 40 hrs during non-school weeks. - Max 6 days per week. Ages 16-17 - School day: 4 hrs/day (8 hrs if next day is non-school). - School week: 28 hrs/week combined work + school. - Non-school: 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week. ### Nightwork Restrictions ### Permitted Job Types ### Work Permit Requirements Permits Required - ALL minors under 18 must have a Permit to Employ and Work, even when employed by parents in a family business (with limited exceptions). - Permits issued by minor's school or school district superintendent. - Exceptions exist only for: (1) unpaid training/discipline in family business, (2) agricultural, horticultural, viticulture, or domestic labor on property the parent owns/operates/controls. ### Recordkeeping Requirements ### Key Considerations This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's Department of Labor (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/dlse-cl.htm) and the U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/child-labor). ## Nearby States OR Oregon: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/oregon/ NV Nevada: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/nevada/ AZ Arizona: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/arizona/ WA Washington: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/washington/ ## Ready to set it up the right way? Kids Payroll handles the documentation, task tracking, and recordkeeping so you stay compliant. It's free to download. Download Kids Payroll on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kids-payroll-pay-your-kids/id6755955657 Get Kids Payroll on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kidspayroll.app&hl=en_US ### Kids Payroll Transform "paying kids through your business" from a confusing tax loophole into a streamlined, automated, family-wealth engine. Email: hello@kidspayroll.com #### Product - Features - How It Works - Tax Calculator: https://kidspayroll.com/tax-calculator/ - FAQ: https://kidspayroll.com/faq/ - State Labor Laws: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/ - Delaware: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/delaware/ - Florida: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/florida/ - Louisiana: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/louisiana/ - Maine: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/maine/ #### Resources - How to Pay Kids Through LLC: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/pay-kids-through-llc/ - Roth IRA for Kids: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/roth-ira-for-kids-rules/ - Tax-Free Payment Limits: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/pay-child-tax-free-2026/ - All Articles →: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/ #### Company - About: https://kidspayroll.com/about/ - Blog: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/ - Contact: hello@kidspayroll.com - Privacy: https://kidspayroll.com/privacy/ Also by us: REPS Time (https://repstime.com/) | STR Loophole (https://strhours.com/) | Doorprofit (https://doorprofit.com/) © 2026 KidsPayroll. All rights reserved. Terms: https://kidspayroll.com/terms/ Privacy: https://kidspayroll.com/privacy/ ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the minimum working age in California?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "14 years old for most non-agricultural work." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does California have family business exemptions for child labor?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "IMPORTANT: California is stricter than federal law. Work permits are required even for family businesses when the child receives financial pay. Exemptions exist only for unpaid training/discipline and agricultural/domestic labor on parent-owned property. 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