Plastic Bag Rules: Gresham vs Portland
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Gresham, OR and Portland, OR?
Gresham has fewer restrictions than Portland.
Gresham, OR
Multnomah County
HB 2509 bans most single-use plastic checkout bags statewide and requires a minimum charge for paper or thicker reusable bags at retailers.
View full Gresham rules →Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Oregon House Bill 2509 (2019) created a statewide ban on single-use plastic checkout bags at all retail stores and restaurants, effective January 1, 2020. Retailers must charge at least 5 cents for paper bags, reusable plastic bags (4+ mils thick), or reusable fabric bags. Restaurants may give paper bags free but must charge 5 cents for reusable plastic bags. Portland previously had its own ban (PCC 17.103.200) which is now aligned with the state law.
View full Portland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gresham | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| State Law | - | Oregon HB 2509 (2019) |
| Effective Date | - | January 1, 2020 |
| Bag Fee | - | 5-cent minimum |
| Bag Standard | - | Reusable plastic = 4+ mils |
| Paper Content | - | 40%+ post-consumer recycled |
| Penalty | - | Class D violation, up to $250 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gresham FAQ
Do restaurants need to comply?
Yes. Restaurants and retailers cannot provide single-use plastic checkout bags.
Who keeps the five-cent fee?
The retailer retains the bag charge, which must be itemized on the receipt.
Portland FAQ
Why does my Portland grocery store charge me for paper bags?
Oregon HB 2509 (2019) requires every retailer statewide to charge at least 5 cents for any checkout bag -- paper or reusable plastic -- to discourage single-use waste. The fee is kept by the retailer. WIC and SNAP/EBT customers are exempt and must be given a bag free.
Can a Portland restaurant give me a free plastic takeout bag?
No. Single-use plastic checkout bags (under 4 mils thick) are banned at all Oregon restaurants. Restaurants may give a paper bag free, but if they offer a reusable plastic bag they must charge at least 5 cents under ORS 459A.687-689.
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