Plastic Bag Bans and Fees

This page includes a list of checkout bag legislation across the United States.  Most ordinances are plastic bag bans and the most effective ones include a small fee on paper bags to encourage more reusable bags.  The only three ordinances covering a fee on both plastic and paper bags are in Washington DC, Montgomery County MD, and Boulder CO.   Please email any additions or edits to rap@surfrider.org

Check out the Rise Above Plastics program page to find more info on plastic pollution and how to get involved in plastic litter reductions.  Click Here for a list of current Surfrider Foundation campaigns.

ALASKA - 3 Ordinances Covering 3 Municipalities

Bethel - Passed by City Council in 2009 and effective September 2010.

Homer - In 2012 the Homer City Council passed a plastic bag ban that was vetoed by the Mayor then overridden by the City Council.  Effective 1/1/13.

Hooper Bay - Effective August 2009.

CALIFORNIA - 53 Ordinances Covering 74 Municipalities

Alameda County and City, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and Union City - The Alameda County Waste Management Authority adopted its ordinance banning plastic bags and placing a 10 cent price requirement on paper and reusable bags in January of 2012. It goes into effect on January 1, 2013 in unincorporated Alameda County as well as its 14 incorporated cities.

Belmont - Belmont adopted their Reusable Bag Ordinance in January of 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.

Brisbane - The Brisbane City Council adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 18, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout
bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.

Burlingame - The Burlingame City Council adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 18, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.

Calabasas - The Calabasas City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with a minimum ten cent price requirement on paper bags in February 2011.

Capitola - Capitola City Council passed the final reading for a 'plastic checkout bag ban / 25 cent fee on paper' ordinance on January 10, 2013. Their ordinance will go in effect on April 10, 2013.

Carmel-by-the-Sea - Carmel adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores on July 3, 2012. It goes into effect on February 3, 2013.

Carpinteria - Carpinteria adopted the first double bag ban in the state on March 12, 2012. Starting in July 2012, large retailers as specified are prohibited from distributing single-use paper and plastic bags. Starting in April 2013, plastic bags are banned in all other retail stores.

Colma- Colma Town Council adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on January 9, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.

Cupertino - Cupertino City Council passed a reusable bag ordinance that bans plastic checkout bags and puts a ten cent fee on paper checkout bags.  The ordinance was passed January 15, 2013 and will start October 1, 2013.

Daly City - Daly City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in January 2013. Operative 4/22/13.

Dana Point - The City of Dana Point adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags from all retail stores within city limits on March 6, 2012. Effective in larger stores April 1, 2013, and all other stores October 1, 2013.

East Palo Alto - On April 2, 2013, the City of East Palo Alto adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance (ban on plastic bags and charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores). Effective October 2, 2013.

Fairfax - The Fairfax City Council adopted its ban on plastic bags August 2007. After a legal challenge by the plastics industry, Fairfax voters overwhelmingly adopted a plastic bag ban by initiative in November 2008.

Foster City - The Foster City gave final approval on January 8,2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags. 

Fort Bragg - Fort Bragg banned plastic bags and required a 10 cent paper bag charge in all retail stores. The ordinance was adopted May 14, 2012. Effective in large stores December 10, 2012, expanding to all other stores in December 2013.

Glendale - Glendale City Council gave final approval on January 22,2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  The ordinance is set to begin on July 1, 2013 and fully take effect on January 1, 2014.

Half Moon Bay - Half Moon Bay City Council gave approval on February 19, 2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  Half Moon Bay joins other cities in San Mateo County that have adopted the model ordinance developed by the County Board of Supervisors.  The ordinance is set to take effect on April 22, 2013.

Huntington Beach - On April 1st, 2013 the Huntington Beach City Council gave final approval for their 'Reusable Bag Ordinance' that bans plastic checkout bags and puts a ten-cent pass-through fee on paper bags at high volume retailers such as grocery and convenience stores.  The ordinance is set to take effect on November 1st 2013.

Laguna Beach - In February 2012, the Laguna Beach City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience/liquor stores must include a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags distributed. Effective 1/1/13.

Long Beach - On May 17, 2011, the City of Long Beach passed a bag ordinance with a 5-0 vote. It banned single-use plastic bags and placed a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. The ordinance is effective in larger stores starting August 2011, and will expand to others stores in 2012.

Loa Altos - The City adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance in 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout
bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 7/4/13.

Los Angeles County - Los Angeles County adopted an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and placing a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in November 2010. The ordinance is effective for large supermarkets and retailers starting July 2011, and expands to other applicable stores in January of 2012.

Malibu - The Malibu City Council voted in May 2008 to ban plastic bags.

Manhattan Beach - The Manhattan Beach City council voted in July 2008 to ban plastic bags. The CA Supreme Court overturned a legal challenge to the ordinance in July 2011.

Marin County - Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance restricting the free distribution of single-use bags in January 2011, effective January 2012.

Mendocino County - The County Board of Supervisors adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent paper bag charge on June 12, 2012. Effective in large stores in January 2013, and expanding to all other retailers one year later.

Menlo Park - Menlo Park City Council gave final approval January 22, 2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  Menlo Park joins other cities in San Mateo County that have adopted the model ordinance developed by the County Board of Supervisors.  The ordinance is set to take effect on April 22, 2013.

Millbrae - On February 14, 2012, the Millbrae City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent requirement on paper bags. The ordinance goes into effect on September 1, 2012 in all retail establishments, except for restaurants, non-profits, and dry-cleaners.

Monterey - The Monterey City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on December 6, 2011. The ordinance bans plastic bags and places an initial 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags for the first year (25 cents after).

City of Mountain View -  Mountain View City Council passed a carryout bag ordinance in December 2012 that will ban plastic bags and place a ten-cent fee on paper bag at local grocers and food retailers starting on Earth Day in April 2013.

Ojai - Ojai adopted a plastic bag ban on April 10, 2012. Grocery stores may distribute paper bags with 10 cent price requirement. Effective July 1, 2012 in all retail stores.

Pacifica - In December 2012, the City of Pacifica adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance  similar to the San Mateo County Ordinance. Ban on plastic bags and charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores. Effective 4/22/13.

Palo Alto - The Palo Alto City Council voted March 2009 to ban plastic bags at large supermarkets and announced their intention to consider expanding the ban to cover all retail stores as well as enacting a fee on paper bags.

Pasadena - In November of 2011, the Pasadena City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. Effective July 1, 2012 for large stores and supermarkets and December 2012 for convenience stores.

Portola Valley - Portola Valley Town Council gave approval by reference on January 23, 2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  Portola Valley joins other municipalities in San Mateo County that have adopted the model ordinance developed by the County Board of Supervisors.  The ordinance is set to take effect on April 22, 2013.

Redwood City - The Redwood City Council adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. The ordinance is set to take effect on October 1st 2013.

San Bruno - San Bruno City Council gave final approval January 22, 2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  San Bruno joins other cities in San Mateo County that have adopted the model ordinance developed by the County Board of Supervisors.  The ordinance is set to take effect on April 22, 2013.

San Carlos - San Carlos City Council gave final approval in March 2013 for a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  San Carlos joins other cities in San Mateo County that have adopted the model ordinance developed by the County Board of Supervisors.  The ordinance is set to take effect on July 1, 2013.

San Francisco - San Francisco became the first city in the nation to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags in April 2007. In February of 2012, the Board of Supervisors voted to expand the ordinance to more stores.

San Jose - San Jose City Council voted and adopted a ban on single use plastic carryout bags in January 2011. The ban will extend to all retailers in the city, exempting restaurants and non-profit reuse organizations. It is effective January 1, 2012. For the first two years, paper bags will be sold under this ordinance at 10 cents each; after two years the minimum price per paper bag is 25 cents each.

San Mateo County - The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on October 23 2012 voted 5-0 to ban plastic checkout bags at stores in unincorporated areas effective April 23, 2013.  At that point, paper checkout bags will cost 10 cents, increasing to 25 cents in January 2015. 

San Luis Obispo County and City, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach - The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in January of 2012. It goes into effect on 10/1/12 in all seven incorporated cities as well as unincorporated areas of the county.

Santa Clara County - On April 26, 2011, the County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a single-use bag ordinance. The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and places a 15 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags throughout unincorporated county areas. It is effective January 1, 2012.

Santa Cruz City - The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and 10 cent paper bag charge on July 24. Effective in all retail stores starting April 2013.

Santa Cruz County - On September 13, 2011, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a single-use bag ordinance. It bans single-use plastic bags and places a 10 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags throughout unincorporated county areas. It is effective March 20, 2012.

Santa Monica - The Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted for a ban on single-use plastic bags and a cost pass-through requirement per recyclable paper bag in January 2011. Visit their website for more information.

Solana Beach - On May 9, 2012, Solana Beach became the first city in San Diego County to adopt a plastic bag ban. Paper bags can be purchased for ten cents each under the ordinance.

South San Francisco - City Council in December 2012 passed a plastic checkout bag ban and ten cent fee on paper bags.  South San Francisco joins other cities in San Mateo County that have adopted the model ordinance developed by the County Board of Supervisors.  The ordinance is set to take effect on April 22, 2013

Sunnyvale - Sunnyvale passed a bag ordinance in December 2011. The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and places a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags which later increases to 25 cents. Starting June 20, 2012 it covers grocery and convenience stores and large retailers, and expands to cover all retailers by March 2013.

Ukiah - City Council adopted an ordinance on May 2, 2012 banning plastic bags and placing a 10 cent charge on paper bags in all retail stores. The ban is operative starting in large stores within six months of adoption.

Watsonville - On May 8, 2012, Watsonville became the first city in Santa Cruz County to ban plastic bags in all retail stores. An initial 10 cent charge on paper bags is mandated to increase to 25 cents after the first year.

West Hollywood - City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with 10 cent paper charge on August 20, 2012. Effective in large stores in six months, all other retail stores in one year.

(Paper bag fees on California ordinances stay with the retailer to help offset their bag costs.)

COLORADO - 5 ordinances covering 5 municipalities.

Aspen - City Council passed a plastic bag ban and 20 cent fee on paper bags in August 2011, effective May 2012.

Boulder - City Council passed an ordinance that places a 10 cent fee on both plastic and paper bags at all food stores on November 15, 2012 that will be effective in July 2013.

Breckenridge - Breckenridge Town Council voted unanimously in April 2013 to approve a 10-cent fee on paper and plastic bags at all local retail and grocery stores.  The ordinance is effective October 1, 2013.

Carbondale - City Council passed a plastic bag ban and 20 cent fee on paper bags in 2011.  The vote was confirmed by voters in April 2012 and was effective May 2012.

Telluride - Town Council passed a plastic bag ban and 10 cent fee on paper bags in 2010, effective March 2011.

CONNECTICUT - 1 ordinance covering 1 municipality.

Westport - Town Representatives passed a plastic checkout bag ban in September 2008 and effective since March 2009.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 1 ordinance covering 1 municipality.

Washington, DC - Five cent fee on both plastic and paper checkout bags.  Approved by City Council in 2009 and effective January 2010.  Funds from the fees collected go to help keep the Anacosta River healthy.  This ordinace has been deemed a big success by reducing litter and increasing reusable bags.

FLORIDA - 1 voluntary resoultion covering 1 municipality.

St. Augustine - We typically do not include voluntary efforts here but Florida is one of the few states that limits 'home rule' in regards to plastic bag ordinances.  Since local municipalities can't pass a plastic bag ban, Flagler College students are working with St. Augustine City Commissioners and local businesses to voluntarily eliminate plastic checkout bags citywide.  The resolution was approved in March 2013.

HAWAII - 4 ordinances covering the entire state.

All four Counties/Islands have passed a plastic bag ban!

IOWA - 1 ordinance covering 1 municipality.

Marshall County - Board of Supervisors passed a plastic bag ban in 2009 for stores in the unincorporated areas of the county.

MARYLAND - 2 ordinances covering 21 municipalities.

Chestertown - City Council passed a plastic bag ban that was effective January 2012.  One local grocer claimed it might have to close its doors if a plastic bag ban passed but decided to expand the store a few months after the ban passed.

Montgomery County - Montgomery County passed legislation effective January 2012 that places a five-cent charge on each paper or plastic carryout bag provided by retail establishments in the County to customers at the point of sale, pickup or delivery. Retailers retain one cent of the fee and the remainder will be deposited into the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge fund. The revenues will effectively shift the burden of litter clean up costs from public taxpayers to consumers who have a choice to avoid the 5-cent charge by bringing reusable bags.

MASSACHUSETTS - 3 ordinances covering 3 municipalities.

Brookline - Brookline residents voted in a plastic bag ban at their November 14th Town Meeting after the idea was submitted by a local resident and approved by the town's Advisory Committee.  Set to take effect December 1st, 2013.

Manchester - Residents approved a ban on markets’ and other stores’ distribution of single-use plastic bags in April 2013 during Manchester’s Annual Town Meeting.  Article 25, which passed by acclamation and without a roll call vote, effectively bans the use of thin filmed plastic bags, commonly found at convenience stores, grocery stores and pharmacies.  Effective July 1, 2013.

Nantucket - Plastic bag ban in effect since 1990.

NEW YORK - 5 ordinances covering 5 municipalities.

East Hampton - Plastic bag ban passed by the Village Board in July 2011 and effective February 2012.

Larchmont - The Village of Larchmont passed a plastic checkout bag ban in March 2013, effective October 2013.

Mamaroneck - Plastic bag ban passed by the Village Board in July 2012 and effective February 2013.

Rye - Plastic bag ban passed by City Council in December 2011 and effective May 2012.

Southampton - Plastic bag ban passed in April 2011 and effective November 2011.

NORTH CAROLINA - 1 ordinance covering 9 municipalities.

Outer Banks - Plastic checkout bag ban for the Counties of Hyde, Dare and Currituck effective since October 2010.

OREGON - 3 ordinances covering 3 municipalities.

Corvallis - City Council adopted the first plastic bag ban with a 10 cent paper charge on July 2, 2012.  The ordinance is scheduled to take effect for large retailers in January 2013 and six months later for small retailers, as defined in the ordinance language.

Eugene - City Council passed a 'plastic bag ban / 5 cent fee on paper checkout bag' ordinance on October 22, 2012.  The ordinance is scheduled to take effect April 2012.

Portland - City Council passed a plastic bag ban ordinance for food stores that went into effect in October 2011.  UPDATE: November 15, 2012 City Council voted to expand the plastic checkout ban to all retailers by October 1, 2013.

(Paper bag fees on Oregon ordinances stay with the retailer to help offset their bag costs.)

TEXAS - 7 ordinances covering 7 municipalities.

Austin - Begins March 1, 2013 and disposable plastic and paper bags will be banned at all retailers within City of Austin .

Brownsville - This ordinance calls for a $1.00 fee per transaction for plastic or paper checkout bags.  City Commission passed the ordinance in September 2010, effective January 2011.

Freer - Freer City Council passed an ordinance banning plastic bags in December 2012 that is effective June 2, 2013.

Fort Stockton - Plastic bag ban passed February 2011 and effective September 2011.

Laguna Vista - Town Council passed a plastic bag ban in September 2012 that is effective January 1, 2013.

South Padre Island - Plastic bag ban passed January 2011 and effective January 2012.

Sunset Valley - Sunset Valley City Council voted 4-0 to ban plastic and paper checkout bags during its Feb. 19, 2013 meeting.  The ordinance is similar to Austin's and is effective September 1st, 2013.

RHODE ISLAND - 1 ordinance covering 1 municipality.

Barrington - Plastic bag ban passed by City Council in October 2012, effective 1/1/13.

WASHINGTON - 8 ordinances covering 8 municipalities.

Bainbridge Island - City Council passed an ordinance that calls for a plastic bag ban with a 5 cent fee on paper checkout bags.  Passed in April 2012 and effective November 1st 2012.

Bellingham - Passed unanimously by City Council in July 2011, effective July 2012.

Edmonds - In 2009 City Council passed an ordinance to ban plastic bags at all retail establishments that is effective since August 2010.

Issaquah - The Issaquah City Council adopted an ordinance in 2012 that bans single-use, plastic carryout bags at retail stores.  The plastic bag ban will follow a phased approach, applying to larger retailers March 1, 2013, and smaller retailers March 1, 2014.

Mukilteo -  In December 2011 City Council passed an ordinance to ban plastic bags at all retail establishments that is effective January 1st 2012.

Port Townsend - City Council passed an ordinance that calls for a plastic bag ban with a 5 cent fee on paper checkout bags.  Passed in July 2012 and effective November 1st 2012.

Seattle - Seattle City Council voted 9-0 in 2011 to pass a citywide bill that will ban plastic bags and require a five cent fee on paper bags at checkout. Grocers and most retailers are covered by the bill.

Shoreline - Shoreline City Council voted 5-1 in April 2013 to ban plastic checkout bags and place a five cent fee on paper bags effective February 2014.

UPDATED May 6, 2013.

Info compiled from Surfrider Foundation Chapter Activists, our friends at Californians Against Waste, PlasticBagLaws.org and various other online sources.

INTERNATIONAL (email additions to rap@surfrider.org)

Australia - The Government of South Australia enacted a ban on plastic checkout bags effective May 2009 while the Northern Territory has a similar ban effective since September 2011.  The Australian Capitol Territory passed and enacted their plastic bag ban in 2011 also.  Woorabinda is the firsy city in Queensland with a plastic bag ban, effective November 2012.  Fremantle was the first city in West Australia to ban thin plastic bags in January, 2013.

Haiti - Haiti's government ordered a plastic bag and foam foodware ban effective October 2012 but early reports claim a lack of enforcement as alternatives are sourced.

India - Efforts are underway to ban plastic bags in various parts of the county but there are no solid reports of effective programs or legislation to date.

Ireland - One of the first plastic bag reduction programs on a large scale started in Ireland in 2002 with their plastic bag fee.  The latest figures (in 2013) suggest there has been a 20-fold decrease since the levy was introduced in 2002.

Italy - In 2011 the Italian government announced a nationwide plastic checkout bag effective March 2012.  Merchants must discontinue the use of traditional single-use plastic bags in favor of bioplastic bags that are biodegradable and compostable or meet other specific requirements.

Northern Ireland - The Northern Ireland Executive passed the Carrier Bag Levy in 2011 and it is effective April 2013.  Retailers in Northern Ireland charge at least five pence for each carrier bag handed out to customers, as part of a drive across the province to reduce plastic waste.

Pakistan - The Islamabad Capital Territory passed a plastic bag ban that takes effect on April 1, 2013.  This law bans conventional plastic bag but allows for 'oxo biodegradable' bags, which allows bags to degrade into plastic pieces quicker.  Not the best solution.

South Africa - A countrywide levy on plastic checkout bags went into effect in May 2003 with proceeds intended to fund a national recycling program.  Reports have been mixed:  plastic bag consumption is down and litter is likely down but there is no data to accurately report on litter.  A 2010 analysis concluded that the levy was too low to be truly effective.  

Tanzania - A countrywide ban on plastic bags has been urged by the federal governemnt since 1996 with minimal results.  Pembra Island has been successful in curbing plastic bag litter according to a 2012 news story.

Wales - The Welsh Government has introduced a 5p minimum charge on all bags (including paper bags) effective October 2011.