Ordinance No. 892 Helps Clarify Minimum Wage Rate in Burien
The Burien City Council approved Ordinance No. 892 on May 18, 2026, to clarify the minimum wage and to assure compliance with Burien’s fair labor standards ordinance, Burien Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 5.16.
The Burien City Council had previously adopted a minimum wage ordinance in 2024, BMC Chapter 5.15, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. Ordinance No. 892 repeals BMC Chapter 5.15, effective May 27, 2026.
A voter initiative establishing BMC Chapter 5.16, Fair Labor Standards Ordinance, was passed in February 2025 and became law on March 23, 2025. Ordinance No. 892 adds clarification around determining the minimum wage and enforcement details.
The City of Burien has provided information and materials on its website (burienwa.gov/MinimumWage) to support compliance with BMC Chapter 5.16. The City is currently seeking feedback on a draft of Burien Administrative Rule 2026-01, which is currently available on the website.
Those requiring further support with interpretation of BMC Chapter 5.16 are encouraged to seek guidance from private legal counsel. A civil action may be brought against violators of BMC Chapter 5.16 within five years of the date of the violation.
BMC Chapter 5.16 defines the minimum wage for small, medium, and large employers. The hourly minimum wage rate increases by the annual rate of inflation each January 1, with a stepped phase-in period for small and medium employers. Each year, the City will publish the applicable hourly minimum wage rate on its website for the following year by October 15.
To seek further clarity for Burien’s employees, employers, and residents on questions regarding BMC Chapter 5.16, the City of Burien requested guidance from King County Superior Court in February 2025. This request remains unresolved as of May 2026.
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