Rialto Small Business Update Week of November 2, 2026
Rialto Chamber of Commerce Business Update
Compiled November 2, 2026. This roundup covers the most recent business-relevant news, regulatory changes, and local opportunities for Rialto-area small business owners. Publication dates are noted item by item — several state and local actions move slowly through council and legislative calendars, so dates are included for transparency rather than claiming everything happened in the last seven days.
Legislative & Regulatory Watch
California minimum wage rises to $17.40/hour on January 1, 2027.
The state’s annual inflation-indexed adjustment pushes the statewide minimum wage from $16.90 to $17.40 per hour, effective January 1, 2027, for employers of every size. If you employ anyone in California, budget for the increase now — payroll systems, wage notices, and posted wage statements all need to be updated before the new year. Some industries (fast food, healthcare) and some local jurisdictions may carry higher minimum wage floors; check your specific sector before assuming $17.40 is your number. (WGA)
A wave of new California employment laws take effect January 1, 2027 — most apply to very small employers. Governor Newsom signed roughly two dozen employment bills this fall. The ones that matter most if you have even a handful of employees:
Bereavement leave expansion (SB 1149) — applies to employers with 5+ employees. Workers can now take bereavement leave for a “designated person” (not just immediate family), including extended or chosen family. You can limit this to one designated person per employee per 12 months. Update your bereavement policy and leave-request forms before January 1.
Immigration-status retaliation protection (AB 2495) — applies to all employers, regardless of size. Any comment or action tied to a worker’s actual or perceived immigration status that discourages them from exercising workplace rights can now trigger penalties up to $10,000 per violation. Retrain managers and anyone involved in hiring or I-9 verification.
“Stay-or-pay” agreement restrictions (AB 1697) — moves up the effective date of last year’s ban on repayment-on-exit clauses. If you use training-cost clawbacks, sign-on bonus repayment terms, or advance-PTO repayment agreements, review them before January 1, 2027 — exemptions were added, but the core restriction is now locked in.
Workplace surveillance limits — new bans on monitoring employees in bathrooms/locker areas (AB 1331) and on emotion-recognition or neural-data analysis in workplace monitoring tools (AB 1883). If you use camera systems or call-monitoring/analytics software, check camera placement and ask vendors whether any “sentiment” or “engagement” scoring features are active.
Restaurant reservation resale ban (AB 1640) — bans reselling a restaurant reservation above its original price. If you take reservations through a third-party platform, make sure their terms reflect this.
Cocktails-to-go extended through 2029 (AB 2663) — restaurants with an on-sale liquor license can keep selling prepackaged cocktails and other to-go drinks with a meal through December 31, 2029.
Expanded sex discrimination definition (AB 2563) — now explicitly covers perceived non-conformity to sex/gender stereotypes. Worth a look at any gender-specific dress code, grooming, or uniform policy.
Two bills that would have affected small businesses were vetoed: a requirement that hotels disclose ICE/CBP-related reservations (AB 2721), and a bill adding menopause to the legal definition of “sex” under California’s anti-discrimination law (AB 1940) — the second year in a row Newsom has vetoed menopause-specific legislation.
Bottom line: if you have 5+ employees, plan on updating your handbook (bereavement, anti-retaliation, device/monitoring, dress code policies) before January 1, 2027, and retraining managers on the immigration-retaliation rule regardless of headcount. (California Employment Law Report)
The 20% small business tax deduction is now permanent. NFIB California reports that the federal Small Business Tax Deduction — letting pass-through businesses (sole proprietors, partnerships, S-corps, LLCs taxed on the owner’s personal return) deduct up to 20% of qualified business income — was made permanent by legislation signed July 4, 2025, after facing expiration at the end of that year. NFIB estimates this affects the roughly 80%+ of California small businesses organized as pass-through entities. If your business structure qualifies, confirm your eligibility and the deduction limits with a tax professional. (NFIB California)
Local & State News
Rialto water and wastewater rates are going up. The city council approved revised utility rate schedules in January to fund utility capital projects, scaling back an originally proposed 23% water rate hike to an 8% first-year increase (with smaller increases in subsequent years), and setting a 3% annual wastewater increase. A typical bill rises from about $65 to roughly $70.50 in year one. The city also plans a $6 million debt issuance in 2027. If your business has a commercial water or sewer account, expect your utility costs to climb — check with the city’s Utilities Department for your specific rate class. (Rialto Citizen Portal)
Rialto achieved state Housing Element compliance in March, bringing the city’s long-term housing plan in line with state law. This protects the city from certain state penalties and streamlined-approval mandates, and signals more housing-related development activity — and potentially more customers and foot traffic — coming online over time. (Ground News / IECN)
Council approved the 665,000-square-foot Locust Gateway warehouse project, securing a $4 million community benefit payment from the developer — $1 million earmarked for public safety, with $3 million still to be allocated. Staff estimate the project could bring up to 550 permanent jobs. Worth tracking if you supply goods/services to logistics or construction. (Rialto Citizen Portal)
City continues major public safety investment, relevant context for city spending priorities: council approved a $7.86 million cost increase for the new police headquarters and a nearly $2.5 million contract for a 113-camera citywide public safety network. (IE Community News)
Free small business support available countywide via BizHUUB. San Bernardino County’s Economic Development Department offers a no-cost resource hub — free webinars, one-on-one expert consultations (website building, branding, financial reviews, bookkeeping/tax prep help), a funding directory, and a learning library, in English and Spanish at myhuub.com/selectsbcounty. No membership fee. (Select SB County)
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Rialto Chamber of Commerce — Wednesday, November 11, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
At the Chamber office, 120 N. Riverside Ave., Rialto. RSVP here.
Rialto Chamber Open House/Mixer — Wednesday, November 18, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Hosted at Thinkwise Credit Union, 1270 Renaissance Pkwy, Rialto. A good low-cost way to make new local connections before the holiday season slows networking down. RSVP here.
BizHUUB free resources — ongoing, no deadline. Free webinars, expert consultations, and funding directory at myhuub.com/selectsbcounty.
Chamber membership — starts at $100/year, includes directory listing, phone referrals, and mixer access. Details at rialtochamber.org. Questions: (909) 875-5364.
