Plastic Bag Rules: Salt Lake City vs Sandy
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Salt Lake City, UT and Sandy, UT?
Salt Lake City has fewer restrictions than Sandy.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake County
Utah Code §10-9a-528 enacted in 2019 prohibits Utah cities and counties from banning, taxing, or regulating single-use plastic bags. Salt Lake City cannot adopt a plastic bag ban or fee; only voluntary retailer programs operate.
View full Salt Lake City rules →Sandy, UT
Salt Lake County
Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local governments from regulating auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam containers, and similar packaging items.
View full Sandy rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Salt Lake City | Sandy |
|---|---|---|
| State law | Utah §10-9a-528 (2019) | - |
| Local ban | Preempted, not allowed | - |
| Retailer programs | Voluntary only | - |
| City response | Education and outreach | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Salt Lake City FAQ
Can Salt Lake City ban plastic bags?
No. Utah Code §10-9a-528 preempts local regulation of single-use plastic bags. The city cannot ban, tax, or impose a fee on plastic carryout bags by ordinance.
Why do some stores not give plastic bags?
Retailers choose voluntarily to reduce plastic use. Stores may charge for paper or reusable bags as a private business decision, even though the city cannot mandate it.
Sandy FAQ
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