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Single-Use Items

Single-Use Items in Portland, OR: What Residents Actually Need to Know

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

If you live in Portland or are thinking about moving there, single-use items are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Portland has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of single-use items, and some of them might surprise you.

Utensils-On-Request

Portland Ordinance 190444 (effective March 2022) bars restaurants from providing plastic utensils, condiment packets, napkins, or stirrers unless the customer requests them or they are placed in self-serve dispensers. The rule covers dine-in, takeout, and delivery.

Key details: City code: PCC 17.103. Effective: March 2022. Default: Opt-in required. Covered items: Utensils, napkins, condiments. Enforcement: Planning and Sustainability.

Defaulting opt-in checkboxes to on, automatically including utensils with takeout, or refusing accommodations after warning letters can result in civil penalties up to five hundred dollars per occurrence administered by Planning and Sustainability.

Plastic Bag Rules

Oregon House Bill 2509 (2019) created a statewide ban on single-use plastic checkout bags at all retail stores and restaurants, effective January 1, 2020. Retailers must charge at least 5 cents for paper bags, reusable plastic bags (4+ mils thick), or reusable fabric bags. Restaurants may give paper bags free but must charge 5 cents for reusable plastic bags. Portland previously had its own ban (PCC 17.103.200) which is now aligned with the state law.

Key details: State Law: Oregon HB 2509 (2019). Effective Date: January 1, 2020. Bag Fee: 5-cent minimum. Bag Standard: Reusable plastic = 4+ mils. Paper Content: 40%+ post-consumer recycled.

A Portland retail store or restaurant that provides single-use plastic checkout bags violates HB 2509 (codified at ORS 459A.687-689) and PCC 17.103.200. It is a Class D violation with a maximum $250 fine per occurrence, enforced by local law enforcement officers and the Oregon DEQ. Failing to charge the 5-cent minimum for paper or reusable bags is the same violation.

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

Plastic Straw Rules

Portland City Code 17.103.310 (effective October 1, 2019) prohibits restaurants, cafeterias, and other food and beverage establishments from providing single-use plastic straws, stirrers, utensils, and condiment packets unless the customer specifically requests them. The rule covers compostable and biodegradable plastic items as well. Self-service stations are an exception. Oregon HB 2883 (2019) created a parallel statewide straws-on-request rule.

Key details: City Code: PCC 17.103.310. Effective Date: October 1, 2019. Covers: Straws, stirrers, utensils, condiment packets. Includes: Compostable/biodegradable plastic. Exemption: Self-service cafeteria stations.

Automatically providing plastic straws, stirrers, utensils, or condiment packets to a dine-in or takeout customer in Portland (other than at exempt self-service stations) violates PCC 17.103.310. Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability enforces via compliance orders; civil penalties under PCC 17.103.999 can reach $500 per violation per day. The parallel statewide straw rule (Oregon HB 2883) is a Class D violation with a maximum $250 fine.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Portland banned polystyrene (PSF) foam food and beverage containers in 1990 under what is now PCC Chapter 17.103, one of the earliest bans in the United States. Oregon Senate Bill 543 (2023) layered a statewide ban on polystyrene foam foodware AND intentionally added PFAS in foodware containers, effective January 1, 2025. Both apply in Portland; the stricter standard controls.

Key details: Portland Ban Date: January 1990 (earliest in OR). City Code: PCC Chapter 17.103. Statewide Law: Oregon SB 543 (2023). State Effective: January 1, 2025. Also Bans: Intentionally added PFAS in foodware.

Serving or selling prepared food in a polystyrene foam container in Portland violates both PCC 17.103.110 (city) and ORS 459A.876 (state, from SB 543). The state penalty is $100-$500 per day per violation, enforced by Oregon DEQ. The city may issue separate compliance orders through the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Selling foodware with intentionally added PFAS is a separate ORS 459A.876 violation with the same penalty range.

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

The Bottom Line

Portland is tougher than many cities when it comes to single-use items. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Portland, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Portland'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.