Reference statute and ordinance language, preserved as published. Updates for laws adopted since these pages were written are in progress — the maps reflect the current picture.
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT intended to be a complete list of bag laws and will not be updated.
The laws below are frequently linked-to Sample Ordinances & CEQA Documents.
City & County of San Francisco (CatEx)
San Francisco's original ban, adopted 4/20/07
San Francisco's expanded ordinance, as adopted 2/7/12
ban on plastic, 10-cent min charge on paper and reusable
applies to all retailers and restaurants
Town of Fairfax
Fairfax's ordinance, an initiative approved by the voters on 11/4/08 (voter-approved initiatives do not fall under CEQA)
Los Angeles County (EIR)
carryout bag ordinance, as adopted 11/16/10
City of San Jose (EIR)
single-use carryout bag ordinance, adopted 12/14/10
amended single-use carryout bag ordinance, adopted 10/8/13
ban on plastic, 10-cent min charge on paper (amended to remove increase to 25 cents)
Marin County (CatEx)
single-use bag ordinance, adopted 1/25/11
ban on plastic, 5-cent charge on paper
City of Manhattan Beach (NegDec)
plastic bag ban, adopted 07/15/08
initial study, June 2008
California Supreme Court decision (see litigation page for details)
ban on plastic, no charge on paper
Adopted Bans (invalidated after lawsuits)
City of Oakland - see litigation section for details
plastic bag ban, adopted 7/17/07
Ireland
Jamaica
text of legislation - Natural Resources, Trade (2018)
Washington D.C.
Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act (bag fee), effective 1/01/10
Enforcement falls under District Department of the Environment
The Ferguson Foundation's website tracks the trash collected at yearly River clean-up days, which included thousands of plastic bags (click "data & results" on the left)
As of September 2010, single-use carryout bag consumption has decreased by at least 50%
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT intended to be a complete list of bag laws and will not be updated.
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