3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Bexar County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Bexar County cannot ban plastic carryout bags. The Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association struck down local bag bans as preempted by the Texas Health and Safety Code container provision.
Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 361.0961 (Container Preemption)
Sec. 361.0961. RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A local government or other political subdivision may not adopt an ordinance, rule, or regulation to: (1) prohibit or restrict, for solid waste management purposes, the sale or use of a container or package in a manner not authorized by state law; (2) prohibit or restrict the processing of solid was...
Bexar County does not restrict expanded polystyrene foam containers. Texas container preemption under TX HSC Section 361.0961 likely blocks local foam bans, mirroring the outcome for plastic bag ordinances.
Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 361.0961 (Container/Package Preemption)
Sec. 361.0961. RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A local government or other political subdivision may not adopt an ordinance, rule, or regulation to: (1) prohibit or restrict, for solid waste management purposes, the sale or use of a container or package in a manner not authorized by state law.
Bexar County does not require restaurants to switch from plastic straws or to provide them only on request. Texas container preemption discourages local straw mandates, leaving the choice to each business.
Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 361.0961 (Container/Package Preemption)
Sec. 361.0961. RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A local government or other political subdivision may not adopt an ordinance, rule, or regulation to: (1) prohibit or restrict, for solid waste management purposes, the sale or use of a container or package in a manner not authorized by state law.
1 cities in Bexar County have their own single-use items rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Bexar County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Bexar County Ordinance Hub →