Direct answer: San Mateo (San Mateo County) requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual 1 hour per 30 hours, max 40 hours/year, paid. Source: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/; retrieved 2026-08-23.
This page summarizes a local ordinance for general guidance only. It is not legal advice. The controlling language is the official municipal code at the source link below.
Local ordinance vs California state law
Provision
San Mateo
California State
Employer threshold
1 employee
1 employee
Accrual rate
1 hour per 30 hours
1 hour per 30 hours worked
Max accrual
40 hours/year
80 hours accrual cap; 40 hours (5 days) usage cap per year
Paid / unpaid
paid
paid
Local insight
San Mateo Paid Sick Leave Ordinance: independent city ordinance.
Compliance go / no-go
Determine if your workforce meets the local threshold (1 employee).
Accrue at 1 hour per 30 hours (or use a more generous PTO policy that meets/exceeds the local minimum).
Cap accrual at 40 hours/year; honor carryover per local rule.
Post the required notice and keep a written policy citing the local ordinance.
San Mateo may have private right of action / penalties for non-compliance — retain records.
What are the paid sick leave rules in San Mateo for 2026?
San Mateo requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual: 1 hour per 30 hours. Max: 40 hours/year. San Mateo Paid Sick Leave Ordinance: independent city ordinance.
How does San Mateo sick leave differ from California state law?
San Mateo ordinance follows the same accrual framework as California state law but may have local administrative details. See the official source for exact text.
Where can I find the official San Mateo sick leave ordinance?
The official text is published by the local agency: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/.