Plastic Bag Rules: Columbus vs Westerville
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Columbus, OH and Westerville, OH?
Columbus has fewer restrictions than Westerville.
Columbus, OH
Franklin County
Ohio Revised Code Section 3737.83 enacted in 2019 preempted municipal regulation of auxiliary containers including plastic bags. The preemption expired briefly in 2022 but partial restoration prevents Columbus from enacting bag bans or fees.
View full Columbus rules →Westerville, OH
Franklin County
Ohio House Bill 242 preempts local plastic bag bans and fees, requiring uniform statewide treatment of auxiliary containers including plastic bags.
View full Westerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| Preempting Statute | Ohio ORC Section 3737.83 | - |
| Enacted | Ohio HB 242 (2020) | - |
| Columbus Status | No bag ban or fee | - |
| Voluntary Programs | Climate Action Plan reduction | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Columbus FAQ
Does Columbus have a plastic bag ban or fee?
No. Ohio Revised Code Section 3737.83 preempts municipal bag regulation. Columbus has not adopted any bag ban, fee, or surcharge. Retailers freely distribute plastic and paper carryout bags without penalty.
Can Columbus pass a bag ban in the future?
Not under current Ohio law. State preemption under ORC Section 3737.83 blocks local single-use container regulation. The Ohio General Assembly would need to amend or repeal the preemption first.
Westerville FAQ
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