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Amarillo's Chapter 10-2 (Fire Prevention) adopts the International Fire Code, which regulates propane and liquefied petroleum gas storage. Residential outdoor cylinders must comply with IFC Chapter 61 quantity and placement standards enforced by the city fire marshal.
Amarillo adopts the International Fire Code and prohibits accumulation of combustible vegetation that creates a fire hazard. The Fire Marshal enforces brush and weed clearance requirements on both residential and commercial properties.
Amarillo sits in the Texas Panhandle, one of the highest wildfire-risk regions in the U.S. The city adopts the IFC under Ch. 10-2; the Potter County Judge issues outdoor burn bans under TX Local Gov Code §352.081 when drought or wind conditions elevate risk.
Amarillo has no local noise or amplified-music ordinance. Complaints are handled under Texas Penal Code §42.01, which prohibits unreasonable noise exceeding 85 dBA in public or near private residences after a police warning.
Amarillo has no municipal noise ordinance covering industrial or commercial operations. Noise complaints are handled under Texas state law, which prohibits unreasonable noise exceeding 85 dB after an official warning.
Amarillo has no municipal ordinance restricting leaf blower use by time of day, decibel level, or fuel type. Noise complaints are handled under Texas Penal Code §42.01 (Disorderly Conduct), which prohibits unreasonable noise exceeding 85 dBA after a peace officer warning.
Amarillo addresses barking dogs through its animal control ordinance (Chapter 8-2). Dogs that bark excessively and disturb neighbors may be considered a nuisance. Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare investigates complaints.
Amarillo does not have a city noise ordinance. The city relies on the Texas Penal Code, which treats unreasonable noise as disorderly conduct. Noise is presumed unreasonable if it exceeds 85 decibels after a peace officer has given notice that the noise is a public nuisance.
Amarillo does not have a specific construction noise ordinance or restricted construction hours. Construction noise is subject only to the general Texas Penal Code disorderly conduct provisions regarding unreasonable noise.
Aircraft noise in flight is regulated exclusively by the FAA under federal law (49 U.S.C. 40103, 14 CFR Part 36, 91, 150). Texas cities and counties cannot impose noise limits on aircraft operations, though they may regulate ground-based airport activities through Texas Transportation Code Chapter 22.
Amarillo requires a building permit for hot tub and spa installation under Chapter 4-3 (General Building Code). Residential pools and spas must meet Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 757 barrier requirements: a minimum 4-foot fence with self-latching gate enclosing the water feature.
Amarillo requires permits and inspections for all public and semi-public pools, spas, and interactive water features under the city's Public Recreational Pool Ordinance, enforced by Environmental Health.
Amarillo requires residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 establishes statewide pool enclosure requirements.
Amarillo requires building permits for pool construction and compliance with safety standards including proper fencing, electrical bonding, GFCI protection, and anti-entrapment drain covers.
Amarillo regulates above-ground pools with the same barrier requirements as in-ground pools. Pools with walls at least 48 inches tall may serve as their own barrier if the access ladder is removable or lockable.
Amarillo restricts street parking in certain zones and limits how long vehicles may remain parked. Designated parking areas and time-limited zones are posted by traffic schedule. Overnight parking of large vehicles is restricted in residential areas.
Amarillo prohibits junked or inoperable vehicles from being stored on public or private property visible from a public street. Chapter 8-4 authorizes notice, hearing, and removal by the city at the owner's expense.
Amarillo restricts the parking of heavy commercial vehicles in residential areas. Large trucks, tractor-trailers, and heavy equipment should not be stored or parked overnight in residential zoning districts.
Amarillo regulates on-street parking through its traffic code. Vehicles must not be parked for more than 48–72 hours in one location. Parking restrictions are posted by signage in specific areas including downtown metered zones.
Amarillo's zoning code restricts the parking and storage of RVs, boats, and trailers in residential areas. These vehicles should generally be stored behind the front building line and may not be occupied as living quarters.
Amarillo requires driveway approaches to meet city engineering standards. A permit is needed for new driveway curb cuts or modifications. Vehicles parked in driveways must not block sidewalks or extend into the public right-of-way.
Texas Property Code 202.019 prevents HOAs from prohibiting electric vehicle charging stations at a homeowner's dwelling. Owners across Texas may install Level 2 chargers in their garages or driveways subject only to reasonable conditions.
Amarillo's zoning code sets setback and construction standards for residential carports. Carports must maintain side-yard setbacks of at least 3 feet from property lines and cannot extend beyond the rear property line.
Amarillo has no dedicated tiny-home or ADU ordinance, but its Zoning Ordinance and building code impose minimum size and setback standards that effectively limit very small dwellings. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and are not permitted as permanent residences.
Amarillo's zoning code allows accessory buildings in residential zones subject to setback and size requirements. Dedicated ADU regulations are limited, but accessory dwellings may be permitted through the zoning process with appropriate approvals.
Amarillo regulates sheds and accessory buildings through zoning setbacks and size limits. Small sheds under 120 square feet typically do not require a building permit but must meet setback requirements in rear or side yards.
Amarillo allows garage conversions to living space with a building permit. The converted space must meet residential building code requirements. Minimum parking requirements for the lot must still be satisfied.
Amarillo regulates fence and retaining wall heights through the Zoning Ordinance (§ 4-10-267) and the Building Code (Chapter 4-1). Fences in rear/side yards may not exceed 8 feet; front-yard fences are capped at 4 feet. Retaining walls under 4 feet are permit-exempt.
Amarillo requires a building permit for any swimming pool barrier or enclosure, whether residential or commercial. The barrier must meet Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 757 minimums — at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates — and comply with local building codes.
Amarillo regulates fence height and placement through its Zoning Ordinance. Front-yard fences are capped at 4 feet; rear and side fences may reach 8 feet. The code restricts certain hazardous materials such as barbed wire in residential zones.
Amarillo limits residential fence heights under the zoning ordinance. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet, while side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet. Taller fences may require a variance.
Amarillo generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet. Fences over 6 feet, those in flood zones, or fences with electrical components may require permits.
Texas is not a mandatory fence-sharing state. Amarillo property owners may build fences on their own property without neighbor consent. Fence disputes are civil matters resolved through negotiation or the courts.
Amarillo allows residents to keep fowl and livestock, but imposes minimum setback distances from neighboring residences. Fowl must be kept at least 100 feet from the nearest neighboring residence; livestock requires 200 feet.
Amarillo caps combined dogs and cats per household at four, and prohibits keeping animals in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions under Chapter 8-2. Animal Management and Welfare officers enforce these rules.
Amarillo's Chapter 8-2 regulates domestic animals and fowl but contains no explicit prohibition on feeding feral or wild animals. Keeping wild animals inside city limits is prohibited, but intentional wildlife feeding is not codified as an offense.
Amarillo restricts the keeping of wild and dangerous animals within city limits. Venomous snakes, large predators, primates, and other dangerous wildlife are prohibited as pets under the animal ordinance.
Amarillo requires all dogs to be restrained or confined when off the owner's property. Dogs at large are subject to impoundment by Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare. Owners must have current rabies vaccinations for their dogs.
Amarillo does not impose breed-specific bans. Texas state law (HB 292, 2023) prohibits municipalities from banning specific dog breeds. Amarillo enforces behavior-based dangerous dog provisions.
Amarillo allows beekeeping subject to zoning and nuisance regulations. Beekeepers should maintain hives with adequate setbacks and water sources. Texas is a bee-friendly state with an active apiary industry.
Amarillo prohibits grasses, weeds, and rank vegetation exceeding 8 inches in height on any property within city limits. The City Marshal enforces complaints and the city may abate nuisances after notice and charge costs to the property owner.
Amarillo's Zoning Ordinance Chapter 4-10 includes a landscaping article with a recommended plant list (§ 4-10-1003) emphasizing drought-tolerant and regionally appropriate species suited to the Texas Panhandle climate.
Amarillo's landscaping ordinance (Chapter 4-10, Division 6) sets minimum live-vegetation coverage requirements for new development but does not expressly ban or restrict residential artificial turf. Homeowners may install synthetic grass subject to general maintenance standards.
Amarillo generally permits residential backyard composting. However, compost piles that produce odors or attract vermin may be cited as a public nuisance under Chapter 8-3 of the Amarillo Code of Ordinances governing garbage and solid waste.
Amarillo implements water conservation measures through its water utility. The city draws from the Ogallala Aquifer, a declining water source, and may impose staged watering restrictions during drought or high-demand periods.
Amarillo requires property owners to maintain grass and weeds at reasonable heights under nuisance provisions. Overgrown properties receive notice to mow within a set timeframe or the city will mow and bill the owner.
Amarillo requires property owners to maintain trees so branches do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. Trees overhanging public rights-of-way must provide adequate clearance for pedestrians and vehicles.
Amarillo does not require a general permit for removing trees on private residential property. Trees in the public right-of-way are city property and require city permission for removal.
Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning rainwater harvesting systems, and Health & Safety Code 341.042 sets statewide standards for harvested rainwater used as a potable supply. Rainwater harvesting is broadly protected and encouraged in every Texas city and county.
Amarillo requires a short-term rental permit from the Planning Department and caps occupancy at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. A hotel occupancy tax of 15% applies to all rentals.
Amarillo requires all short-term rental operators to carry a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance. Proof of coverage must be submitted with the permit application to the Planning Department before operating.
Amarillo does not impose an annual night cap on short-term rentals. The City defines an STR as a stay under 30 consecutive days for tax purposes but does not limit how many nights per year a property may be rented. Texas has no statewide STR night cap.
Amarillo requires every short-term rental operator to register and remit the city's 7% Hotel Occupancy Tax (plus 2% Amarillo-Potter Events Venue District tax) through the Localgov portal, with monthly returns due by the 10th. The Planning Department also handles zoning-side permitting inquiries.
Amarillo does not have a specific short-term rental ordinance. STR operators must obtain a standard business license and comply with general zoning and tax requirements. Texas state law limits cities from enacting overly restrictive STR regulations.
Amarillo does not have STR-specific parking requirements. General residential parking rules apply. Guest vehicles must comply with standard street parking regulations and not block driveways or fire hydrants.
Amarillo has no STR-specific noise rules because the city has no general noise ordinance. STR guests are subject only to the Texas Penal Code disorderly conduct provisions regarding unreasonable noise.
Amarillo STR operators must collect and remit the city's Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) of 7% plus the state HOT of 6% on all short-term rental bookings of less than 30 consecutive days.
Amarillo's home occupation rules limit customer traffic to levels that do not disrupt the residential neighborhood. Walk-in customers are restricted, and the business should not create parking or traffic impacts.
Amarillo allows home occupations in residential zoning districts as accessory uses. Home businesses must be secondary to the residential use, conducted within the dwelling, and not change the neighborhood character.
Amarillo limits signage for home businesses. Only a small nameplate sign is permitted for home occupations in residential zones, consistent with the requirement that the business not alter the residential appearance.
The Texas Cottage Food Law (Health & Safety Code Chapter 437, Subchapter A) authorizes home-based production and sale of certain non-potentially-hazardous foods statewide. Cities and counties cannot prohibit cottage food operations or require permits for them.
Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42 governs licensing and registration of home-based child care statewide through HHSC. Registered family homes serve up to 6 children under 14, must follow state minimum standards, and cannot be banned solely by zoning.
Amarillo offers voluntary curbside recycling through Chapter 8-3, §8-3-92 and private haulers. There is no mandatory recycling ordinance. Residents may use city-affiliated or private services such as Republic Services and KB Recycling for single-stream curbside pickup.
Amarillo Code of Ordinances Chapter 8-3 governs garbage, trash, and recycling. Residential trash is collected twice weekly via city-issued carts. Prohibited items include hot ashes, concrete, and tires. Bulk pickup is available free on request.
Amarillo's Curbside Cart Collection Program requires residents to place trash carts near the curb with the handle facing the curb, arrows pointing toward the street, and at least five feet of clearance around the cart on all sides for automated truck access.
Amarillo provides free residential bulk-item pickup on request under Chapter 8-3. Standard residential garbage collection runs twice per week. Residents may schedule bulky items — furniture, appliances, large debris — at no extra charge through the Solid Waste Division.
Amarillo Code Chapter 8-3 (Garbage, Trash and Weeds) requires residents to use city-issued 95-gallon roll carts for solid waste. Carts must be placed at the curb only on collection days and returned to the property by midnight after pickup.
Amarillo prohibits property blight including excessive vegetation, junk accumulations, and unlawful debris. Chapter 8-3 and § 4-3-2 authorize the city to issue notices and abate nuisances at the owner's expense.
Amarillo requires owners of vacant lots to keep grass and weeds below 8 inches and free of accumulated trash or debris. The city may abate violations after notice and bill the cost, plus a $75 administrative fee, to the property owner.
Amarillo has no specific municipal ordinance mandating property owners to clear snow or ice from abutting sidewalks within a set timeframe. Sidewalk-related rules in the code address construction and obstruction but do not establish a snow-removal deadline.
Amarillo does not require a separate permit for residential garage or yard sales but regulates temporary sale signs under Chapter 4-2. Signs must be placed on private property within lot boundaries, not in public rights-of-way, and must be removed at the event's end.
Amarillo has no standalone heritage-tree designation or removal-permit program for private property. Trees within city parks are protected under Chapter 12-7 (Parks Rules). Private-property tree removal is governed by state law and zoning; Amarillo is a Tree City USA.
Amarillo's Chapter 12-7 governs the management of trees in parks and public rights-of-way. The city regulates removal of public trees and may require replacement plantings; private tree removal on residential lots is minimally regulated.
Amarillo regulates tree planting, maintenance, and removal in parks and public rights-of-way under Ch. 12-7 §12-7-5. Private property tree removal is generally permit-free with no city permit required for most homeowners.
Amarillo requires mobile food vendors to obtain a permit from the city's Environmental Health Department before operating. Vendors must pass a health inspection and employ a certified food manager. State preemption takes effect July 1, 2026.
Amarillo requires mobile food establishments to obtain an annual Environmental Health permit and to operate in commercial or industrial zoning districts. Private-property operation requires written landowner permission; parking at residences is not permitted.
Amarillo does not require a permit for individual garage sales, but limits each property to no more than two garage sales per 12-month period. Exceeding this limit is a code violation enforced by the City Marshal.
Amarillo limits residential properties to no more than two garage (yard) sales within any 12-month period. Exceeding this limit is a code violation enforced by the Amarillo City Marshal's Code Enforcement Officers.
Amarillo has no citywide ordinance imposing specific day, hour, or frequency limits on residential garage sales. Sales are treated as incidental accessory uses in residential zones. Sign rules under Chapter 4-2 still apply, and state tax rules govern sales volume.
Amarillo requires door-to-door solicitors, peddlers, and canvassers to obtain a permit from the Amarillo Police Department before conducting solicitation activities within city limits. Applications are processed by the APD.
Amarillo Municipal Code §§ 14-6-55 through 14-6-62 require commercial door-to-door solicitors to obtain a permit from the Amarillo Police Department before canvassing. Texas law also recognizes posted 'No Soliciting' signs as legally binding notice; violating them subjects solicitors to trespass liability.
Amarillo operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under its TPDES permit and prohibits illicit discharges to the storm drainage system. Chapter 8-5 (Public and Environmental Health) and Chapter 18-2 (Water Utility System) together govern stormwater quality.
Amarillo requires all construction sites to implement erosion and sediment controls to prevent soil and contaminants from entering the city's stormwater system. Sites disturbing one or more acres must obtain a state TPDES Construction General Permit and submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Amarillo is an inland Panhandle city with no tidal shoreline, so Texas coastal zone management laws and NOAA's coastal development permitting program do not apply within the city limits.
Amarillo requires drainage plan approval before final plat issuance. Construction sites disturbing one or more acres must file a TCEQ Notice of Intent. The city's Drainage Utility Program, codified at Chapter 18-4, funds stormwater infrastructure through a fee-based system.
Amarillo participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and regulates construction in flood hazard areas. Development in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires elevation certificates and flood-resistant building techniques.
Amarillo has not adopted a formal dark-sky or light-pollution ordinance. Outdoor lighting is regulated only through general zoning standards in Chapter 4-10 covering glare and light spillover into adjacent properties.
Amarillo's zoning code (Chapter 4-10) requires exterior lighting to be shown on site plans but establishes no foot-candle limits or light-trespass standards. No municipal ordinance restricts light spilling onto adjacent properties.
Amarillo has no independent local vape-retail licensing ordinance. E-cigarette retailers in Amarillo must comply with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 147, which requires a state-issued permit for each retail location effective January 1, 2022.
Amarillo has no local ordinance banning flavored tobacco products or menthol cigarettes. Texas has not enacted a statewide flavor ban; proposed SB 1182 failed to advance. Tobacco sales in Amarillo are governed by state Tobacco 21 and FDA regulations only.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161 sets the minimum age for purchasing or possessing tobacco and e-cigarette products at 21 statewide, aligned with federal Tobacco 21. Active military members 18 and older are exempt. The standard applies uniformly across all Texas municipalities.
Amarillo's Code of Ordinances Section 12-7-5 sets daily park hours from 5 AM to midnight. Being present in a city park outside these hours is a violation enforced by the Amarillo Police Department.
Texas HB 1819 (88th Legislature, 2023), codified at Local Government Code 341.906 / 351.906 / 370.004, prohibits all Texas municipalities and counties from adopting or enforcing juvenile curfew ordinances. Existing local curfews expired automatically and are unenforceable across Texas.
Amarillo's Chapter 4-10 Zoning Ordinance, Article IV District Regulations (§4-10-82), sets yard setbacks by district. Single-family zones require a 25-foot front setback, 5-foot side setback, and rear yard minimums. Commercial and industrial zones have separate standards.
Amarillo's zoning ordinance (Chapter 4-10) defines maximum lot coverage and minimum yard setbacks for each district. Residential zones R-1, R-2, and R-3 have distinct requirements for front, rear, and side yards and limit the proportion of the lot covered by structures.
Amarillo Zoning Ordinance Chapter 4-10 establishes building setbacks and maximum structure heights by district. Single-family residential zones typically cap building height at 35 feet with front, side, and rear yard setback requirements varying by zone.
Amarillo requires a building permit and electrical permit for all rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV installations. Permits cost $50–$500, take about 2 weeks to approve, and must comply with the 2021 International Fire Code.
Texas Property Code 202.010 prevents homeowners associations from prohibiting solar energy devices on a homeowner's property. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic conditions but cannot ban rooftop solar across Texas neighborhoods.
Amarillo regulates temporary and residential signs under Chapter 4-2. Garage sale signs must remain on private property and off state highway right-of-way. The city limits households to two garage sales per 12-month period; signs may be posted only during the permitted sale event.
Amarillo Code Chapter 4-2 (Signs) exempts seasonal and holiday decorations at residential properties from sign permit requirements. Displays such as Christmas lights, wreaths, and festive ornaments may be erected without a permit provided they are temporary and do not constitute a permanent commercial sign.
Texas Election Code Chapter 259 and Property Code 202.009 protect the display of political signs on private residential property. Cities, counties, and HOAs cannot prohibit residents from displaying political signs subject only to narrow time, size, and safety limits.
Amarillo has NO local just-cause eviction ordinance. Texas is a no-cause termination state under Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001 — a month-to-month tenancy may be ended by either party on 30 days' written notice without stating a reason. Fixed-term leases may be terminated for breach under Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24.
Amarillo has NO local rent control ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts Texas cities from enacting rent control absent a declared disaster-related housing emergency and governor approval. The Amarillo Municipal Code contains no rent stabilization chapter.
Texas Local Government Code 214.902 caps rental registration and inspection programs, and Property Code Chapter 92 sets statewide landlord-tenant disclosure and habitability rules. Texas cities may register rental units only within state limits, and tenant protections apply universally.
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 487 limits cannabis dispensing to a small number of state-licensed Compassionate Use Program providers. There are no recreational dispensaries anywhere in Texas, and cities cannot license additional ones.
Texas Health & Safety Code 481.121 makes it a crime to possess or grow marijuana anywhere in the state. Home cultivation is illegal in every Texas city and county regardless of plant count or medical status.
Texas Government Code Chapter 423 preempts local commercial drone rules and FAA Part 107 governs commercial flight nationwide. Texas cities cannot require their own drone permits or fees for Part 107 operators delivering or surveying.
Texas Government Code Chapter 423 occupies the field of unmanned aircraft regulation. Cities and counties cannot adopt their own recreational drone ordinances, though limited municipal rules over takeoff and landing on public property remain.
Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 expressly preempts municipal and county minimum wage ordinances. The state minimum wage equals the federal floor of $7.25 per hour, and political subdivisions cannot require private employers to pay more, except for their own contracts.
Texas appellate courts have struck down municipal paid sick leave ordinances in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio as preempted under the Texas Minimum Wage Act. HB 2127 (2023) further codifies preemption by barring local regulation of employment benefits and leave policies.
HB 2127 (2023), the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, preempts municipal predictive or fair workweek scheduling ordinances. Texas cities cannot require employers to provide advance schedule notice, predictability pay, or rest periods between shifts beyond state law.
Texas authorizes License to Carry (LTC) holders to carry concealed handguns statewide under Government Code Chapter 411. Since 2021, permitless constitutional carry under HB 1927 also allows most adults 21 and older to carry without a license, with municipalities preempted from added restrictions.
Texas Local Government Code Section 229.001 broadly preempts municipal regulation of firearms, ammunition, knives, and related accessories. Cities cannot adopt or enforce ordinances regulating the transfer, ownership, possession, transport, or discharge of firearms beyond narrow exceptions for discharge in densely populated areas.
Texas authorizes open carry of holstered handguns statewide for adults 21 and older under Penal Code 46.02 and HB 910 (2015). Long guns may be openly carried subject to disorderly conduct limits. Municipalities cannot impose additional open carry restrictions.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-1) lets any non-prohibited adult lawfully carry a handgun inside a personally-owned or leased motor vehicle or watercraft without a License to Carry, provided the firearm is not in plain view and the person is not engaged in criminal activity or gang membership.
Texas Government Code Chapter 673 requires every state agency and any business that contracts with a state agency to register for and use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work eligibility of new employees. Private-sector E-Verify use is generally voluntary statewide.
Texas Government Code Chapter 752, enacted by Senate Bill 4 in 2017, prohibits any local entity, campus police department, or jail from adopting sanctuary policies. Local officials must honor federal immigration detainer requests and may not bar officers from inquiring about immigration status.
Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 and Agriculture Code Chapter 251 limit municipal authority to zone or regulate land qualified for agricultural use appraisal. Counties have no general zoning authority, and cities face restrictions on annexing or imposing land use rules on established farms.
The Texas Right to Farm Act, Agriculture Code Chapter 251, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits and local regulations after one year of operation. SB 1421 (2023) significantly strengthened protections, preempting municipal ordinances that restrict generally accepted agricultural practices.
The Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association (2018) held that Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 preempts municipal plastic bag bans. Cities and counties cannot prohibit or restrict retail use of plastic checkout bags as containers or packages.
Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 also preempts municipal bans on polystyrene foam containers used for food service. The same statute that struck down plastic bag bans prevents Texas cities from prohibiting expanded polystyrene cups, plates, and takeout packaging.
Plastic straw bans by Texas municipalities are preempted under Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 and reinforced by HB 2127 (2023). Cities cannot prohibit or restrict food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws to customers.