Purpose and Intent
San Diego Municipal Code § 39.0101
in effect§39.0101 Purpose and Intent
This Division ensures that employees who work in the City receive a livable minimum wage and the right to take earned, paid sick leave to ensure a decent and healthy life for themselves and their families. By enabling more employees to support and care for their families through their own efforts and with less need for financial assistance from the government, and by protecting the rights of employees to care for their health and the health of their family members, the City can safeguard the general welfare, health, safety and prosperity of all San Diegans.
It is the purpose and intent in enacting this Division that San Diego workers be guaranteed the right to take earned sick leave. Most employees will at some time during each year need limited time off from work to take care of their own health needs or the health needs of members of their families. Guaranteeing employees earned sick leave will reduce recovery time from illnesses, promote the use of regular medical providers rather than hospital emergency departments, and reduce the likelihood of workers spreading illness to other members of the workforce and to the public.
It is also the purpose in enacting this Division to ensure that employees working in the City earn wages that ensure a decent and healthy life for themselves and their families. When employers do not pay a livable wage, the surrounding community and taxpayers bear costs in the form of increased demand for taxpayer-funded services, including homeless shelters. Jobs paying a decent wage will ensure a more stable workforce for the City, increase consumer income, decrease poverty, and invigorate neighborhood business.
(“Purpose and Intent” added 2-8-2016 by O–20604 N.S.; effective 7-11-2016.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter03/Ch03Art09Division01.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026