Cheyenne's Relaxed Approach to Single-Use Items: What's Allowed

Every city handles single-use items a little differently. In Cheyenne, Wyoming, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Plastic Bag Rules

Cheyenne does not regulate plastic carryout bags, and Wyoming has neither preempted nor banned local bag rules at the state level, so retailers are free to provide plastic, paper, or reusable bags without local fees.

Key details: Plastic bag ban: None. Fee: None. State preemption: Not enacted. Local authority: Retained.

There are no Cheyenne fines for distributing or using plastic carryout bags; littering bags in public spaces remains enforceable under standard city and state litter statutes.

Cheyenne is more permissive than most cities when it comes to plastic bag rules. That said, there are still limits.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Cheyenne has no polystyrene foam container ban, and Wyoming has not legislated on expanded polystyrene takeout packaging, so restaurants and grocers may freely use foam clamshells, cups, and trays without city restrictions.

Key details: Foam ban: None. State law: No restriction. Municipal procurement: No preference. Reusable programs: Voluntary only.

Because no foam ban exists locally, no Cheyenne fines apply; littering of polystyrene products in public spaces remains punishable only under the general litter and nuisance ordinances.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Cheyenne gives residents more flexibility on polystyrene foam rules.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Cheyenne gives residents more room on single-use items. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Cheyenne's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.