National List of Local Plastic Bag Ordinances

Please email details for any missing ordinances here.

Alaska

Bethel - City officials voted in July 2009 to ban plastic bags and takeout containers. The ban went into effect in September 2010.

Fairbanks - In September 2009, Fairbanks adopted a 5 cent price requirement on plastic bags. This was rescinded one month later.

Homer - In August 2012, Homer adopted a plastic bag ban. Effective January 1, 2013. A voter initiative to repeal the ban passed by a narrow margin in October 2013.

Hooper Bay - The plastic bag ban in Hooper Bay went into effect in August 2010. 

Arizona

Bisbee In September 2013, the City of Bisbee banned plastic bags and placed a five cent charge per paper bag in all stores. Effective April 22, 2014. Prior to this, in December 2012 the city had piloted a voluntary bag reduction period.

California

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 (StopWaste.org) adopted its ordinance banning plastic bags and placing a 10 cent price requirement on paper and reusable bags in January of 2012. It went into effect on January 1, 2013 in unincorporated Alameda County as well as its 14 incorporated cities.

American Canyon 

The City Council adopted a single-use plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge for paper and reusable bags in August 2015.  It goes into effect January 1, 2016 in all retail establishments except for public eating establishments.

Arcata

The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent charge per paper bag. The ban goes into effect in all retail stores February 1, 2014, with the charge going into effect August 1, 2014.

Belmont

Belmont adopted the 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.

Belvedere

The City adopted a plastic bag ban on June 9, 2014. Applies to grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Paper and reusable bags are allowed with a minimum 10 cent charge each. Effective in large supermarkets and drugstores in January 2015, and in all other stores in July 2015.

Brisbane

The City 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

Burlingame 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.

Calistoga

The City adopted an ordinance in August of 2014 to restrict single-use plastic carryout bags and place a small charge on paper bags in all retail stores and restaurants. Effective 1/1/15.

Campbell

The City adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance on July 16, 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 1/27/14.   

Capitola

In January 2013, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a 25 cent charge on paper bags in all retail stores. Effective April 2013. The ordinance was modified slightly in 2014.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores on July 3, 2012. It became operative February 3, 2013.

Carpinteria

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

Cathedral City

On July 22, 2015, Cathedral City adopted a single-use plastic bag ban and a 10 cent charge on paper bags in all stores except restaurants, food providers, and nonprofit charitable reusers.  Effective February 22, 2016.

Chico

On May 20, 2014, the Chico City Council adopted a plastic grocery bag ban with a 10 cent charge per paper bag. Effective in grocery and drug stores January 1, 2015, and in convenience and smaller markets one year later.

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. 

Culver City

On May 28, 2013, Culver City adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent charge on paper bags in grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Effective 12/28/13.

Cupertino

Cupertino adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 5, 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 10/1/13.  

Daly City

The 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.

Danville

The Town adopted a plastic bag ban in all stores and restaurants on December 16, 2014. Effective July 1, 2016.

Davis

The Council adopted a plastic bag ban on November 12, 2013. Paper and reusable bags would be available for a small charge. Effective in all stores and restaurants on July 1, 2014. Amended in May 2014.

Desert Hot Springs

Council adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent paper bag charge on March 18, 2014. Effective in supermarket and drug stores by mid September 2014, and in all other stores six months later. 

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.

El Cerrito

On September 17, 2013, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores. Operative January 1, 2014.

Encinitas

The Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent charge on paper bags in all retail stores on September 10, 2014. Effective in grocery stores on April 10, 2015, and all other stores and farmers markets by October 10, 2015.

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.

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 December 2013.

Foster City

Foster City adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on January 7, 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.

Glendale

The City of Glendale adopted a bag ordinance in January of 2013. Similar to LA County's ordinance, it bans plastic bags and places a 10 cent charge on paper bags. Effective in larger stores and farmer's markets starting 7/1/13 and expanded to other covered stores 1/1/14.

Gonzales

The City of Gonzales' bag ordinance, banning plastic bags and placing a minimum 25 cent charge on paper or reusable bags, was adopted July 7, 2014. Effective 1/1/15 in all retail stores/restaurants.

Grass Valley

A plastic bag ban is effective in all retail stores in Grass Valley starting 1/1/15. Adopted August 20, 2014. 

Greenfield

An ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and placing a minimum 25 cent charge on other bags was adopted August 12, 2014. Effective in all retail stores/restaurants 2/12/15.

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 5, 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. 

Hercules

The Hercules City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a charge on paper and reusable bags in September of 2014. Effective in all retail stores starting in 2015.

Hermosa Beach

The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores, with a 10 cent charge per paper bag at large retail stores, supermarkets and pharmacies.  Effective in large stores in April 2016, and the rest in October 2016.

Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge per paper bag on April 1, 2013. Applies to all grocery, drug, and convenience stores starting November 1, 2013.

Indio

Council adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent paper bag charge on May 15, 2014. Effective in grocery stores starting November 14, 2014 and in all retail stores by May 14, 2015.

King City

Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent paper/reusable bag charge in all retail stores on September 9, 2014. Effective 1/1/15.

Lafayette

The Council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores and restaurants on December 8, 2014. Grocery, drug, and convenience stores can distribute paper bags with a minimum 10 cent charge. Effective 7/1/15.

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.

Larkspur

On May 7, 2014, the council adopted a plastic bag ban in grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Paper and reusable bags are available for purchase with a small charge. Effective November 2014.

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 was operative in larger stores starting August 2011, and expanded to others stores in 2012.

Los Altos

The City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. Operative 7/4/13.   

Los Angeles City

In June 2013, the LA City Council adopted a bag ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and placing a 10 cent charge on paper bags. Effective for large supermarkets in January 2014, and expanded to drug stores, convenience stores, and other supermarkets in July 2014.

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 became effective for large supermarkets and retailers in July 2011, and expanded to other applicable stores in January of 2012 througout unincorporated County areas.

Los Gatos

In September 2013, the Los Gatos Town Council adopted a ban ordinance based on the San Mateo County ordinance (ban on plastic bags, initial 10 cent charge per paper or reusable bags in all retail stores). Effective 2/3/14.

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. The council modified the ordinance in 2012 and again in 2014.

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. Unincorporated County areas only.

Marina

The City adopted an ordinance on August 19, 2014, banning single-use plastic bags and placing a small charge on paper and reusable bags. Effective in all retail stores.

Martinez

The Martinez City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with 10 cent minimum charge on paper or reusable bags on June 18, 2014. Effective January 1, 2015 in all retail stores and restaurants.

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 all other retailers in January 2014. Amendments to expand the ordinance to restaurants was adopted February 25, 2014, effective August 12, 2014. Unincorporated County areas only.

Menlo Park

Menlo Park adopted the Reusable Bag Ordinance (San Mateo County Ordinance) on January 22, 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. 

Mill Valley

The City adopted a bag ordinance on October 21, 2013. Plastic bag ban with five cent charge on paper/reusable bags in grocery, convenience, and drug stores.

Millbrae

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

Milpitas

On September 15, 2015, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags.  The ordinance is effective January 1, 2016 in all retail establishments except for public eating establishments.

Monrovia

The Monrovia City Council adopted a bag ordinance on July 1, 2014. Grocery, drug, and convenience stores cannot distribute single-use plastic carryout bags, and paper bags have a minimum ten cent charge requirement. Enforced 1/1/15.

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).

Monterey County

On August 26, 2014, the County Board of Supervisors adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent charge on paper and reusable bags in all retail stores. 

Morgan Hill

On October 2, 2013, the Morgan Hill City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with an initial ten cent charge per paper bag. Effective 4/22/14.

Mountain View

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

Napa

The City adopted a bag ordinance on August 5, 2014.  Paper bags are allowed with a ten cent minimum charge. Effective 1/1/14 in all retail stores.

Nevada City

The City Council adopted a plastic bag ordinance on June 25, 2014, effective January 1, 2015 in all retail stores. Single-use plastic bags are prohibited. Paper and reusable bags may be purchased for ten cents each.

Novato

The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent minimum charge per paper or reusable bag in March 2014. Effective in grocery, convenience, and drug stores. 

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.

Pacific Grove

The City adopted a bag ordinance on August 20, 2014. All retail stores are prohibited from distributing single-use paper bags, but may distribute paper bags with a 10 cent price requirement. Effective 3/1/2015.

Pacifica

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

Palm Desert

A plastic bag ban in all stores with a ten cent charge on reusable paper bags was adopted May 8, 2014. It will go into effect in large stores starting in April 2015, and cover smaller stores by October 2015.  There was some confusion over wording as to who was to be charging 10 cents for paper bags, so City Council amended the ordinance to better define "grocery" versus "retail" on September 24, 2015.

Palm Springs

Council adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent paper bag charge on April 2, 2014. Effective in supermarket and drug stores by November 2014, and in all other stores by May 2015.

Palo Alto

In 2013, the Palo Alto City Council adopted an expansion of a 2009 ordinance to include all stores and restaurants under its plastic bag ban. Paper and reusable bags would be available with a minimum charge. Previously, the ordinance only applied to plastic bags at large supermarkets.

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.

Pico Rivera

On October 28, 2014, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper. Effective in large grocery and drug stores on July 1, 2016, and in other convenience and grocery stores the following year.

Pittsburg

On October 21, 2013, the Council adopted a bag ordinance, effective in all retail stores by 1/15/14. Plastic carryout bags are prohibited, and paper and reusable bags are allowed with a small charge.

Pleasant Hill

On August 4, 2014, the Council adopted a bag ordinance, effectiving in all retail stores and restaurants. Plastic carryout bags are prohibited, and paper and reusable bags are allowed with a small charge.

Portola Valley

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

Redwood City

The City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. Operative 10/1/13.

Richmond

The City adopted the first bag ordinance in Contra Costa County on July 16, 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 1/1/14.  

Ross

The council adopted a plastic bag ban on September 11, 2014. Applies to grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Paper and reusable bags are allowed with a minimum 10 cent charge each. Effective in large supermarkets and drugstores in April 2015, and in all other stores in October 2015.

Sacramento

The City of Sacramento adopted an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and charging a minimum 10 cents per paper or reusable bag on March 31, 2015. Effective 1/1/16 in grocery, drug, and convenience stores.

Salinas

The City adopted a plastic bag ban on August 26, 2014 in all retail stores. Paper and reusable bags may be sold for a ten cent minimum charge for customers who wish to purchase them.

San Anselmo

The Town adopted a single-use plastic bag ban with 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags, effective January 1, 2015 in grocery, drug, and convenience stores.

San Bruno

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

San Carlos

San Carlos adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. Operative 7/1/13.

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.

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 went into effect on 10/1/12 in all seven incorporated cities as well as unincorporated areas of the county.

San Mateo City

The City adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on May 6, 2013. Effective June 6, 2013. Plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags (increasing to 25 cents on 1/1/2015).

San Mateo County

The Board of Supervisors adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on November 6, 2012. Effective 4/22/13 in unincorporated County areas. Plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags (increasing to 25 cents on 1/1/2015).

San Pablo

The City adopted a plastic bag ban and 5 cent charge per paper or reusable bag (to increase to 10 cents after two years) on October 8, 2013. Effective 1/1/14 in all retail stores.

San Rafael

City council adopted a plastic bag ban with 10 cent charge per paper or reusable bag on 3/3/14. Effective in grocery, drug, and convenience stores starting 9/15/14.

Santa Barbara City

A plastic bag ban and ten cent paper bag charge was adopted on October 15, 2013. Effective in supermarkets and drugstores in mid April 2014, and in convenience stores by 10/15/14.

Santa Barbara County

The Board of Supervisors passed a plastic bag ban on August 25, 2015 with a 10 cent charge on paper bags and reusable bags either for sale or at no charge.  Effective in supermarkets and drugstores in March 2016 and in convenience and liquor stores by September 2016.

Santa Clara City

A plastic bag ban and 10 cent minimum charge per paper or reusable bag was adopted on September 23, 2014. Effective in all retail stores starting December 1, 2014.

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 became 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. Effective March 20, 2012. An expansion of the plastic bag ban to restaurants was adopted in October 2012 and went into effect April 22, 2013. Additional amendments were made in June of 2014.

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.

Santa Rosa

The City Council adopted a bag ordinance in February 2014, similar to the Sonoma County WMA bag ordinance (plastic bag ban in all retail stores, minimum ten cent paper bag charge). Effective September 1, 2014.

Sausalito

The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent minimum charge per paper or reusable bag in March 2014. Effective in grocery, convenience, and drug stores.

Seaside 

The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent minimum charge per paper/reusable bag on August 21, 2014. Effective in all retail stores September 20, 2015.

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.

Soledad

The Council adopted a single-use plastic bag ban and ten cent charge per paper or reusable bag in all retail stores on October 1, 2014. Effective May 1, 2015.

Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (Sonoma City and County, Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Windsor)

The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency adopted a plastic grocery bag ban on February 19, 2014. Effective in all retail stores starting September 1, 2014. Paper grocery bags may be purchased for ten cents each.

South Lake Tahoe

On October 15, 2013, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores and restaurants. First effective on 1/15/14, and effective in all stores by 10/15/14.

South Pasadena

The City adopted an ordinance phasing out single-use plastic grocery bags in grocery, drug, and convenience stores as well as farmers' markets in May 2014. Operative in larger stores and farmers' markets starting October 2014, and in other covered stores December 2014. Minimum ten cent charge per paper bag.

South San Francisco

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

St Helena

The council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent charge per paper bag in all retail stores on August 26, 2014. Effective in large grocery stores 1/1/15, all other stores 7/1/15.

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 and reusable bags which later increases. Starting June 20, 2012 it covers grocery and convenience stores and large retailers. Covers all retailers by March 2013.

Tiburon

The Town adopted a plastic bag ban in supermarkets, drug and convenience stores on September 3, 2014.

Truckee

The Town of Truckee adopted an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags on November 25, 2013. Effective in all retail stores June 1, 2014. Paper and reusable bags can be sold for ten cents each.

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.

Walnut Creek

In March of 2014, the Council adopted a plastic bag ban and 10 cent minimum paper bag charge in all retail stores and restaurants.

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. The ordinance was modified slightly in 2014.

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.

Colorado

Aspen - The city of Aspen banned plastic bags and placed a 20 cent charge on paper bags in October 2011. It is effective in May 2012 in the city's two grocery stores.

Basalt - The city of Basalt passed an ordinance placing a 20 cent charge on both single-use plastic and paper bags in September 2011. It would have been effective May 2012 in grocery stores but was narrowly overturned by a voter referendum in April 2012.

Boulder - A bag ordinance was adopted in November 2012, requiring grocery stores to charge ten cents per plastic or paper bag. Effective 7/1/13.

Carbondale - The Carbondale Board of Trustees approved an ordinance in October 2011. Like Aspen's ordinance, it bans plastic bags and places a 20 cent charge on paper bags in grocery stores with 3,500 square feet or more. A referendum placed the ordinance on the ballot in April 2012 and voters in Carbondale affirmed the Trustees' decision. Effective May 2012.

Durango - The Council adopted a single use bag ordinance in August 2013. Starting March 1, 2014, grocery stores would be required to charge 10 cents per single use bag. A voter initiative to repeal the ban passed by a small margin in November 2013.

Fort Collins - The council adopted a five cent charge per each single-use bag in retail stores in the summer of 2014.  Effective April 1, 2015.

Telluride - The town of Telluride, CO banned plastic bags in October 2010. The ban went into effect March 2011 with a 10 cent price requirement on paper bags.

Vail - This mountain town banned plastic bags in March 2015.  The ban will go into effect in August 2015 with a 10 cent charge for paper bags.

Connecticut

Westport - In September 2008, Westport became the first Connecticut city to ban plastic bags.

District of Columbia 

Washington - The District of Columbia Council voted June 2009 to require retailers to charge a $0.05 fee on all carryout bags. 

Hawaii

Hawaii County - The Big Island of Hawaii banned single-use plastic bags in January 2012.

Honolulu County - Honolulu banned plastic bags in May 2012.  Effective July 1, 2012.  Revised to include Oahu effective July 1, 2015.

Kauai County - Kauai banned plastic bags in October 2009. The ordinance became effective on January 11, 2011.

Maui County - Maui banned plastic bags in August 2008. The ordinance became effective on January 11, 2011.

Illinois

Chicago - Passed April 30th, 2014.  Effective August 2015 for retailers of more than 10,000 square feet. The ban will extend to smaller chain stores and franchises August, 2016. Small independent or non-franchise stores and restaurants will not be affected. 

Evanston - On July 28, the Evanston City Council approved an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags in stores larger than 10,000 square feet. The ordinance went into effect August 1, 2015. 

Iowa

Marshall County - Marshall County passed a single-use plastic bag ordinance for its Unincorporated areas in April, 2009. The ban allows stores to instead provide biodegradable, recycled paper, or reusable bags to customers. Effective October, 2009. 

Maine

Portland - In 2014, Portland adopted a 5 cent charge per single-use bag in grocery stores. Effective April 15, 2015.

South Portland - In September 2015, South Portland adopted a 5 cent charge per single-use bag in grocery, drug, and convenience stores.  Effective March 1, 2016.

Maryland

Montgomery County - The County followed the example of the neighboring District of Columbia and passed a 5 cent minimum price requirement on single-use plastic and paper bags in May 2011. It is effective January 2012. Applies to all retailers.

Chestertown - Passed April 4th, 2011, the Chestertown ordinance bans plastic bags and restricts the distribution of paper bags for all retail establishments. Operative January, 2012.  

Massachusetts

Barnstable - Passed on September 3, 2015 by a 7-6 vote, the ordinance bans single-use plastic bags in all establishments beginning September 3, 2016.

Brookline - The Town of Brookline banned plastic bags from large grocery and retail stores by a vote of 142-53 in November 2012. Effective December 1, 2013.

Falmouth - On November 18, 2014, the town banned single use carryout plastic bags (thinner than 2.25 mils) from all retail stores and restaurants. Effective 18 months after adoption.

Great Barrington - The plastic bag ban was approved in May 2013, effective January 2014.

Manchester - The ordinance was approved in April 2013 at the city's annual town meeting. Effective July 1st, 2013. 

Marblehead - A ban on single-use plastic bags and EPS food containers was passed through a town meeting May 5th, 2014. The law will be phased in within one year. 

Nantucket - The small town of Nantucket banned non-biodegradable single use bags in 1990. 

Newport - The city adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores in January 2015. Paper and reusable bags allowed. Effective in 180 days.

Newton - The City adopted a plastic bag ban in January 2015 that goes into effect in July 2015.

Northampton- A plastic bag ban in all grocery and retail stores was adopted in May 2015.  Effective January 1, 2016.

Provincetown - The town banned plastic bags thinner than 1.5 mils in October of 2014. Effective April 2015.

Williamstown- The town banned plastic bags and added a minimum 10 cent charge on paper bags in May of 2015.

New Mexico

Santa Fe - In 2013 Santa Fe adopted a plastic bag ban and 10 cent minimum charge per paper bag in all retail stores. Before the ban went into effect, the charge was rescinded.

Silver City - On July 8th, 2014 the Silver City Town council voted unanmimously to adopt an ordinance banning single use plastic carryout bags at all retail establishments. After December 8, 2014 merchants can only provide paper or reusable bags for a self-determined fee.  

New York

East Hampton Town - The Town Board adopted a plastic bag ban on December 18, 2014. Effective September 22, 2015.

East Hampton Village - In August 2011, the East Hampton Village Board approved a plastic bag ban. Effective February 2012.

Hastings-on-Hudson - A plastic bag and polystyrene ban were adopted in June of 2014. Effective 2015.

Larchmont - The Village banned plastic bags in March of 2013. Effective October 1, 2013.

Mamaroneck - In mid July 2012, the Mamaroneck Board of Trustees approved a plastic bag ban. Effective in six months.

New Paltz Village - The Village Board passed a plastic bag ban in November 2014. Effective April 2015.

Patchogue Village - A single-use plastic bag ban was approved in June 2015. Effective September 2016.

Rye - In December 2011, the Rye City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban at all retail stores. Effective May 7, 2012.

Southampton Town - The Town Board adopted a plastic bag ban on December 18, 2014. Effective April 22, 2015

Southampton Village - In April 2011, the Southampton Village Board unanimously approved a ban on non-biodegradable bags for retailers, supermarkets and restaurants. Effective November 6, 2011.

North Carolina

Hyde, Currituck and Dare Counties - The North Carolina Legislature banned plastic in the Barrier Islands in June 2009. The ban was extended to all businesses in the three counties in 2010.

Oregon

Corvallis - City Council approved a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag on July 2, 2012.

Eugene - City Council approved a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag on October 22, 2012. Effective May 1, 2013.

Portland - Portland became the first city in Oregon to adopt a ban on plastic bags in July 2011, after the state legislature failed to pass a statewide ban. Effective October 15, 2011. An amendment to include all other retail stores and restaurants goes into effect in two stages on March 1, 2013 and October 1, 2013.

Rhode Island

Barrington - City Council approved the first plastic bag ban in the state in October 2012. Effective January 1, 2013 in all retail stores and restaurants. Sunsets January 31, 2015 unless the council revisits the ordinance.

Texas

Austin - In March 2012, Austin City Council adopted a sweeping ban on single-use plastic and paper bags in all business establishments. Effective 3/1/13.

Brownsville - The City of Brownsville became the first in its state to restrict plastic bags in 2009 with a $1 charge per transaction. The ordinance became effective January 2011. (See Municipal Code, Chapter 46, Article II, Section 46).

Dallas - The Dallas City Council approved a bag ordinance on March 26, 2014.  Effective January 1, 2015.  Single use bags in every retail store were to include a five cent charge, but the charge was repealed in June 2015 after plastic bag manufacturers sued the city.

Fort Stockton - In 2010, the City of Fort Stockton banned single-use plastic bags from stores, effective September 2011 (See Municipal Code, Article I, Section 12-9).

Freer - On December 10, 2012, the city council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores. The ban became mandatory on June 2, 2013.

Kermit - Effective October 1, 2013, single use plastic bags are prohibited in Kermit grocery, convenience, and drug stores. Paper bags are permitted with a ten cent charge.

Laguna Vista - The Town of Laguna Vista adopted a plastic bag ban on September 11, 2012. Effective January 1, 2013.

Laredo - In August of 2013, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban for all retail stores, effective January 10, 2015.

Port Aransas - The City adopted a plastic bag ban on December 18, 2014. Effective January 1, 2016.

South Padre Island - In January 2011, South Padre Island passed a bag ordinance banning plastic single-use carryout bags that became effective in 2012.

Sunset Valley - Single-use plastic bag ban passed in February 2013 for all retail stores. Effective 9/1/2013. 

Washington

Bainbridge Island - In April 2012, the City of Bainbridge Island adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores. Paper bags are allowed with a five cent charge. Effective November 2012.

Bellingham - Bellingham banned plastic bags and placed a 5 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in July 2011.

Edmonds - Edmonds banned plastic bags at all retail stores in July 2009.

Issaquah - In June 2012, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag in all retail stores. Effective in large stores 3/1/13, and smaller stores 3/1/14.

Kirkland - A plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag was approved in February 2015. Effective March 1, 2016 in 170 retail stores.

Lacey - In February 2014, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag for all retail stores. Effective 7/1/14. 

Mukilteo - The City of Mukilteo banned plastic bags in December 2011. Effective 1/1/13.

Olympia - Olympia passed a plastic bag ban with five cent charge per paper bag in October 2013. Effective in all retail stores on 7/1/14.

Port Townsend - Council adopted a plastic bag ban with five cent charge on paper bag in July of 2012 for all stores. Effective 11/1/12.

Seattle - In December 2011, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and putting a 5 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags. Effective 7/1/12. Previously, the Seattle City Council voted to require retailers to charge a $0.20 on all single-use carryout bags in July 2008. The ordinance was overturned by a plastic industry-financed initiative one year later.

Shoreline - In April 2013, the Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag. Effective 2/1/2014.

Thurston County - In September 2013, the Board adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag for all retail stores. Effective 7/1/2014.

Tumwater - In September 2013, the Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag for all retail stores. Effective 7/1/2014.