Sacramento's Single-Use Items: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles single-use items a little differently. In Sacramento, California, there are 3 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

Sacramento enforces the California statewide plastic carryout bag ban under SB 270 (effective November 2016 after voter approval). All retailers must charge at least 10 cents per recycled-content paper or reusable bag. SB 1053, effective January 1, 2026, eliminates the thicker-plastic reusable bag exemption that survived the original SB 270.

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Enforced by CalRecycle and the Sacramento County District Attorney. Civil penalties under Public Resources Code §42286: up to $1,000 per day for a first violation, up to $2,000 per day for a second, and up to $5,000 per day for third and subsequent violations. Customer complaints go to CalRecycle.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

California Senate Bill 54 (2022) phases out non-recyclable plastic foodware, including expanded polystyrene foam, statewide. Sacramento businesses must transition away from EPS foam containers under the SB 54 implementation timeline.

Key details: State Law: SB 54 (2022). EPS Status: Effectively banned. Full Compliance: 2032. Regulator: CalRecycle.

Continuing to distribute non-compliant EPS foodware after applicable deadlines can lead to CalRecycle penalties against producers and downstream supply chain consequences for Sacramento retailers.

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

Plastic Straw Rules

California Public Resources Code 42270 (Assembly Bill 1884, 2018) prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless a customer requests one. Sacramento dine-in restaurants follow the on-request rule.

Key details: Statute: PRC 42270. Default: On request only. Penalty: $25/day, $300 cap. Scope: Full-service restaurants.

Automatically distributing plastic straws at full-service restaurants can result in two warnings, then citations of $25 per day capped at $300 per restaurant per year under PRC 42271.

The Bottom Line

Sacramento's single-use items rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Sacramento is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Sacramento's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.