Los Angeles's Single-Use Items: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles single-use items a little differently. In Los Angeles, California, there are 5 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 Straw Rules

Los Angeles Ordinance 185489 (LAMC section 195.20) bars food and beverage facilities from automatically providing single-use plastic straws. Straws must be offered only on request and ideally non-plastic. California AB-1884 imposes a parallel statewide rule on full-service restaurants.

Key details: City ordinance: Ord. 185489, LAMC 195.20. Default: Straws on request only. State law: AB-1884, PRC section 42270. Disability access: Must accommodate requests.

Auto-distributing plastic straws violates LAMC section 195.20 and triggers a written warning, then fines starting around twenty-five dollars per violation up to several hundred dollars for repeats.

Utensils-On-Request

California AB-1276 and Los Angeles implementation require food facilities to provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, and stirrers only when the customer specifically requests them or selects them at a self-service station.

Key details: State law: AB-1276 (HSC 42271). Effective date: June 1 2022. Max annual fine: 300 dollars per location. Applies to: All food facilities statewide. Delivery apps: Must offer opt-in.

First two violations bring written warnings. Each later violation within a calendar year carries a 25 dollar fine, capped at 300 dollars annually per facility location.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Los Angeles bans the distribution, sale, or provision of expanded polystyrene (EPS/Styrofoam) products including food/beverage containers, egg cartons, food trays, shipping boxes, and packing peanuts by food/beverage facilities and retail establishments. Large businesses (26+ employees) had to comply by April 2023; all others by April 2024.

Key details: Products banned: EPS cups, bowls, plates, clamshells, egg cartons, food trays, coolers, ice chests, shipping boxes, packing peanuts. Large business compliance date: April 23, 2023. All businesses compliance date: April 23, 2024. Large threshold: More than 26 employees (chain-wide for franchises). Facility exemptions: Health facilities (H&S Code § 1250) and residential care facilities for the elderly.

Enforcement by LA Bureau of Sanitation (DAA), which may investigate violations, issue fines, and enter premises during business hours. DAA may promulgate fine schedules by regulation. Administrative Citations subject to Article 1.2 hearing and appeal process.

Compared to other cities, Los Angeles takes a harder line on polystyrene foam rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Plastic Bag Rules

Los Angeles bans plastic single-use carryout bags at grocery stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and convenience stores (Article 2), and extends the ban to apparel stores, food/beverage facilities, hardware stores, and markets (Article 2.1). Recyclable paper bags may still be offered at a mandatory $0.10 charge.

Key details: Plastic bag ban: Complete ban at covered stores and shops. Paper bag charge: $0.10 per recyclable paper bag (40% post-consumer content). Stores covered (Art. 2): Grocery stores ($2M+ sales), large pharmacies, drug/convenience stores. Shops covered (Art. 2.1): Apparel, food/beverage facilities, hardware stores, farmers’ markets, open-air markets. WIC/CalFresh exemption: Free paper or reusable bags for program participants.

Written warning issued for first violation. After notice: fine up to $100 (first post-notice violation), up to $200 (second), up to $500 (third and subsequent). Fine imposed per day the violation continues. Fines deposited to Citywide Recycling Trust Fund. Administrative Citations subject to Article 1.2 hearing and appeal.

This is one of the stricter rules in Los Angeles's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Takeout Containers

Los Angeles bans food and beverage facilities from serving food or drinks in expanded polystyrene containers such as cups, bowls, plates, and clamshells. Large facilities (26+ employees) had to comply by April 2023; all other food/beverage facilities by April 2024.

Key details: Containers banned: EPS cups, bowls, plates, clamshells, egg cartons, and food trays. Large facility compliance date: April 23, 2023 (26+ employees, chain-wide count). All facilities compliance date: April 23, 2024. Facilities covered: Restaurants, bars, cafes, grocery stores, food trucks, caterers, farmers’ markets, and similar. Facility exemptions: Health facilities (H&S Code § 1250) and residential care facilities for the elderly (§ 1569.2).

Enforcement by LA Bureau of Sanitation (DAA). DAA may investigate violations, issue fines, and enter food/beverage premises during business hours. DAA may promulgate fine schedules by regulation. Administrative Citations subject to Article 1.2 hearing and appeal process.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Los Angeles actively enforces its takeout containers requirements.

The Bottom Line

Los Angeles is tougher than many cities when it comes to single-use items. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Los Angeles, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Los Angeles can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.