Virginia Code 58.1-1745 authorizes counties and cities to impose a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags provided at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores within their borders.
Effective January 1, 2021, Virginia Code 58.1-1745 permits any county or city to impose a 5-cent per bag tax on disposable plastic bags provided to consumers at grocery, convenience, and drug stores. Adopting localities include Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Roanoke, and others. Retailers retain 2 cents per bag through 2022 and 1 cent thereafter to cover compliance costs. Reusable bags, paper bags, and bags for ice cream, prescriptions, or wrapped meat are exempt. Revenues fund environmental cleanup, education, and reusable bag distribution to SNAP and WIC recipients.
Retailers failing to collect and remit the bag tax face penalties under Title 58.1 enforcement provisions, including interest, late filing penalties, and potential audit assessments. The Tax Department administers compliance like other state-collected local taxes.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets or visible on private property. Vehicles may be tagged and tow...
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria EV chargers need an electrical permit (and possibly a structural permit) via APEX. In the two locally-regulated historic districts or on 100-Year-...
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria regulates overnight parking on public streets. Many areas restrict parking between certain hours or require permits for overnight street parking.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria restricts or prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife including deer, coyotes, and bears. Feeding wildlife creates public safety hazards and nuis...
See how Alexandria's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.