Single-Use Items in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
4 verified single-use items rules for Virginia Beach, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Plastic Bag Rules
Virginia Beach imposes a five-cent disposable plastic bag tax at grocery, convenience, and drug stores under Virginia Code §58.1-1745, with revenue funding environmental cleanup and reusable bag distribution.
Five-Cent Disposable Plastic Bag Tax
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 58.1-1745
§ 58.1-1745 . Disposable plastic bag tax. A. Any county or city may, by duly adopted ordinance, impose a tax in the amount of five cents ($0.05) for each disposable plastic bag provided, whether or not provided free of charge, to a consumer of tangible personal property by retailers in grocery stores, convenience stores, or drugstores. B. Any tax imposed under this section shall be collected by...
Polystyrene Foam Rules
Virginia Code §10.1-1424.4 phases out expanded polystyrene single-use food service containers for Virginia Beach restaurants, with chain operators already restricted and small businesses following by mid-decade.
Expanded Polystyrene Food Container Phase-Out
Some RestrictionsPlastic Straw Rules
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance limiting plastic straws; restaurants may distribute them freely, though many resort-area businesses voluntarily switch to paper or compostable alternatives.
Plastic Straws: No Virginia Beach Restriction
Few RestrictionsUtensils-On-Request
Virginia Beach has no upon-request mandate for plastic forks, knives, or condiment packets; restaurants choose whether to default to providing or asking customers if they need utensils.