Single-Use Items in Mesa, AZ (2026)
3 verified single-use items rules for Mesa, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Plastic Bag Rules
ARS Section 11-269.18, signed in 2015, prohibits Mesa and every other Arizona city or county from banning, taxing, or regulating single-use plastic bags or other auxiliary containers. Local fees on bags are also preempted.
Arizona Preempts Mesa Plastic Bag Bans
Few RestrictionsAriz. Rev. Stat. § 9-500.38 (Auxiliary Containers Preemption)
A city or town may not: 1. Impose a tax, fee, assessment, charge or return deposit on a consumer or an owner, operator or tenant of a business, commercial building or multifamily housing property for auxiliary containers. 2. Regulate the sale, use or disposition of auxiliary containers by an owner, operator or tenant of a business, commercial building or multifamily housing property. B. The reg...
Polystyrene Foam Rules
ARS Section 11-269.18 also preempts Mesa from banning expanded polystyrene foam cups, plates, or takeout containers. Mesa restaurants can legally use foam clamshells, though some chains voluntarily switched to fiber alternatives.
Arizona Preempts Mesa Polystyrene Foam Bans
Few RestrictionsPlastic Straw Rules
ARS Section 11-269.18 preempts Mesa from banning or restricting plastic straws as auxiliary containers. Restaurants may freely offer plastic straws, though many voluntarily switched to paper or upon-request models.
Plastic Straw Rules in Mesa
Few RestrictionsLooking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mesa city rules.
Single-Use Items in Maricopa County →