Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinances

SINGLE-USE CARRYOUT BAG BAN

BACKGROUND

In 2013, the City of Los Angeles adopted Ordinance 182604, banning single-use carryout bags for certain retail establishments (stores) at checkout. In 2022, the City adopted Ordinance 187716, expanding the ban to additional retail establishments (shops). At the state level, SB1046 was adopted in 2022, banning single-use pre-checkout bags at stores statewide. In 2024, SB1053 was adopted, which updated SB270 (2014) to ban all plastic carryout bags at stores in CA.

How is your business affected by the different bag laws?

If your business is a store:	If your business is a shop:
A store is defined as: ● Full-line, self-service retail stores with gross annual sales of at least $2 million that sell a line of dry groceries, canned goods, or nonfood items, and some perishable items; or ● Large retail stores with a pharmacy that have at least 10,000 square feet of retail space and that generate sales or use tax; or ● Convenience stores, food marts, or liquor stores that are engaged in the retail sale of a limited line of goods, generally including milk, bread, soda, and snack foods, and that hold a Type 20 or Type 21 license issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.	A shop is defined as: ● Apparel store; farmer’s market vendor; food or beverage facility; hardware store or; open air market vendor
CA law SB1053 applies to your business.	City of LA Ordinance No. 187716 applies to your business.
Effective January 1, 2026, SB1053 bans all stores in CA from distributing any plastic film carryout bags at checkout. Stores may make available for purchase recycled paper bags and charge ten cents per bag*.	Per City Ordinance 187716, shops may only offer or provide recyclable paper bags for ten cents per bag or reusable bags for a charge or no charge at checkout*. Ordinance 187716 has been in full effect since July 1, 2023. Reusable bags may be made of plastic film as long as it is at least 2.25mils thick and meets all the other specifications in the ordinance.
Additionally, CA law SB1046 also applies to your business.
● Effective January 1, 2025, SB1046 bans all stores in CA from offering or providing single-use pre-checkout bags, except if the bags are: ● Recycled paper bags or ● Compostable bags ● Precheckout bags are defined as: a bag provided to a customer before the customer reaches the point of sale, that is designed to protect a purchased item from damaging or contaminating other purchased items in a checkout bag, or to contain an unwrapped food item.

*Customers are allowed to use their own bags or carry away goods that are not placed in a bag.

Objectives of the Bag Ban

- Reducing the number of single-use plastic bags currently consumed in the City of Los Angeles each year;

- Reducing the adverse environmental impacts associated with single-use plastic bags, including impacts to aesthetics, biological resources (including marine environments), water quality, and solid waste; and

- Promoting a shift toward opting out of bag use when not necessary, and promoting the use of reusable bags.

QUARTERLY REPORTING

Section 195.03D of Ordinance No. 182604 requires stores to report to LASAN, on a quarterly basis, the total number of Recyclable Paper Single-Use Carryout Bags, the total amount of monies collected for providing Recyclable Paper Single-Use Carryout Bags, and a summary of any efforts the Store took to promote the use of Reusable bags by Customers in the prior quarter.

Section 195.11E of Ordinance No. 187716 requires shops to report to LASAN, on a quarterly basis, the total number of Recyclable Paper Single-Use Carryout Bags and Reusable Bags provided, the total amount of monies collected for providing Recyclable Paper Single-Use Carryout Bags and Reusable Bags, if applicable, and a summary of any efforts the Store or Shop has undertaken to promote the use of Reusable Bags by Customers in the prior quarter.

This form must be completed and signed by a responsible agent or officer of the Store or Shop confirming that the information provided on this form is accurate and complete. This form must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days following the end of the reporting quarter.

Quarterly Report Form Click here to view the form

Scan and email completed and signed Quarterly Report Form to SRCRD@lacity.org or mail to: Sanitation/SRCRD 1149 S. Broadway, 5th Floor, Los Angeles CA 90015 or Fax: (213) 485-3671.

ENFORCEMENT

In accordance with the provisions in Ordinances no. 182604 and 187716, the penalties for violations of the two Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag Ban ordinances are as follows:

First Violation: Issuance of a written notice that a violation has occurred.
Second Violation: A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100).
Third Violation: A fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200).
Fourth and Subsequent Violation(s): A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for the fourth and any subsequent violation(s).

MORE INFORMATION

The full ordinance text can be found here: Ordinance 187716 (2022), Ordinance 182604 (2013)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Click here to view the document for Ordinance 187716

Additional information about SB1053 and SB1046 can be found on the CalRecycle website.
Click here to view the website.

LASAN staff is also available to answer any questions and give presentations. Contact our Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD) directly by calling 213-485-2260 or emailing SRCRD@lacity.org

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