From Wikipedia: Non-compete agreements are automatically void as a matter of law in California, except for a small set of specific situations expressly authori

From Wikipedia: Non-compete agreements are automatically void as a matter of law in California, except for a small set of specific situations expressly authorized by statute. They were outlawed by the original California Civil Code in 1872. ... Exceptions - valid non-compete agreements in California There are limited situations where a reasonable non-compete agreement may be valid in California. 1. If an owner is selling the goodwill in their business. 2. When there is a dissolution or disassociation of a partnership. 3. Where there is a dissolution of a limited liability company. Read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-compete_clause#California http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-compete_clause#California