The New York Bag Waste Reduction Law (Environmental Conservation Law §27-2801, enacted 2019, enforced March 2020) bans most single-use plastic carryout bags statewide. Counties and cities may impose a 5-cent paper bag fee. Reusable bags and certain product bags are exempt.
New York Environmental Conservation Law §27-2801 et seq. — the Bag Waste Reduction Law — bans the distribution of plastic carryout bags by any person required to collect state sales tax. The law was signed in April 2019 and took effect March 1, 2020 after court-imposed delays. Counties and cities may opt in to a 5-cent paper carryout bag fee under ECL §27-2805, with 40% supporting the Environmental Protection Fund and 60% supporting reusable bag distribution to low-income households. New York City, Suffolk County, Westchester, Tompkins, Albany, and Ulster have adopted the fee. Exemptions cover bags used to package bulk items, produce, raw meat/fish, prescriptions, newspapers, restaurant takeout food, and garment bags. Compostable bags do not qualify as substitutes.
Civil penalty up to $250 per violation for first offense, up to $500 for subsequent violations within 12 months under ECL §27-2807. DEC and authorized municipalities issue citations. Each day of non-compliance is a separate violation.
Colonie, NY
Abandoned vehicles in the Town of Colonie are handled under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1224 (Abandoned Vehicles), which makes the town in which a vehi...
Colonie, NY
Pool barriers in Colonie are governed by the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted by reference in the NY State Uniform Code at 19 NYCR...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie Zoning Law does not prescribe a closed list of permitted fence materials, but barbed wire, electrified fencing, and razor wire are genera...
Colonie, NY
Boundary and 'spite fence' disputes in Colonie are governed by New York State common law and statute, not the town zoning code. Real Property Actions and Pro...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie requires a fence/zoning permit from the Department of Building & Code Enforcement before installing a fence, with a plot plan showing fen...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie does not impose a numeric limit on the number of dogs, cats, or other companion animals per household. Chapter 79 Article III caps chicke...
See how Colonie's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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