Single-Use Items in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
3 verified single-use items rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Plastic Bag Rules
Santa Monica bans single-use plastic carry out bags at all retail establishments. Grocery stores and pharmacies may only provide reusable bags or recycled paper bags (for at least 10 cents per bag). The ban also applies at City facilities, City-permitted events, and Santa Monica Farmers Markets.
Single Use Items: Plastic Bags
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 5.45.020
(a) No retail establishment in the City shall provide a single-use plastic carry out bag to a customer unless otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.45.040. (b) No grocery store or pharmacy in the City shall provide any type of bag to a customer at the point of sale except a reusable bag or a recycled paper bag unless otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.45.040. (c) No person shall dist...
Polystyrene Foam Rules
Santa Monica prohibits food and beverage providers from dispensing prepared food or drinks in any non-marine degradable disposable food service ware, effectively banning polystyrene (Plastic #6) containers, cups, plates, bowls, trays, lids, and similar items.
Single Use Items: Polystyrene
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 5.44.010; § 5.44.020
"Polystyrene" means a synthetic material made from polymerizing styrene. This type of plastic can be identified as Plastic #6. ... "Marine degradable" means products ... designed to biodegrade under the marine environmental conditions ... in less than one hundred twenty days. Products predominantly made with plastics, either petroleum or biologically based, shall not be considered marine degrad...
Plastic Straw Rules
Santa Monica food and beverage providers may only give out single-use straws and utensils upon customer request: they may not be automatically provided with orders. Plastic straws may still be kept and dispensed to customers with disabilities who request them.
Single Use Items: Straws
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 5.44.020
(b) A food or beverage provider shall provide marine degradable disposable straws and utensils to customers only upon request. A food or beverage provider may ask customers whether disposable straws or disposable utensils are needed. ... (d) Food and beverage providers, as well as City facilities, City-managed concessions, City-sponsored events, and City-permitted events, may retain and dispens...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Single-Use Items in Los Angeles County →