California Non-Compete Ban
B&P Code 16600
Regulatory Snapshot: California Non-Compete Ban
California Non-Compete Ban (B&P Code 16600) is an enacted law in California under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 1872-01-01 and becomes effective on 1872-01-01. California currently reports 12 tracked regulations with 12 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 100/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places California within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in B&P Code 16600 itself.
Applicability under California Non-Compete Ban: All workers in CA regardless of position/compensation. Penalty exposure is documented as: Void and unenforceable. Injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees. Notable exemptions: Sale of business (limited). Partnership dissolution..
Summary
Oldest and most absolute non-compete ban since 1872.
Key Requirements
All non-competes void. AB 1076 (2024) voided out-of-state non-competes for CA workers.
Penalties
Void and unenforceable. Injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees.
Applicability
All workers in CA regardless of position/compensation.
Exemptions
Sale of business (limited). Partnership dissolution.
Official Source
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=16600&lawCode=BPCFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. California is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was California Non-Compete Ban enacted?
California Non-Compete Ban was enacted on 1872-01-01 and became effective on 1872-01-01. It was introduced as B&P Code 16600.
What are the penalties for violating California Non-Compete Ban?
Void and unenforceable. Injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does California Non-Compete Ban apply to small businesses?
All workers in CA regardless of position/compensation. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does California compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
California has a regulatory strictness score of 100/100, based on 12 enacted regulations out of 12 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of California Non-Compete Ban?
The official text of California Non-Compete Ban (B&P Code 16600) is available from the California legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |