Key Facts Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources

Riverside County, CA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Verified 1 week ago|Source: California PRC 42281 →

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Key Facts

State authority: PRC 42281+
Minimum bag charge: Ten cents
Penalty cap: $5,000 per day
2026 update: SB 1053 reusable rules

City-specific rules exist: Riverside has its own plastic bag rules rules that differ from Riverside County's county-level regulations. If you live in Riverside, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

California Senate Bill 270, ratified by Proposition 67, bans single-use carryout plastic bags at grocery stores and large retailers statewide, including Riverside County, and requires a minimum charge for paper or reusable bags.

Full Breakdown

Under Public Resources Code section 42281 et seq., grocery stores, drugstores, convenience stores, and food marts cannot provide single-use plastic carryout bags. Compliant alternatives include certified compostable bags, recycled paper bags, or reusable bags meeting durability and recycled content standards. Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag, retained by the retailer. Riverside County enforces the law in unincorporated areas through Code Enforcement and Environmental Health. SB 1053, passed in 2024, will further restrict reusable plastic bags starting January 2026, requiring true paper or fabric reusables.

Violations & Fines

Free single-use plastic bags: civil penalties up to 5,000 dollars per day per Public Resources Code 42283.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the plastic bag ban cover restaurants?

Restaurant takeout bags are exempt from the original SB 270 ban, though some local jurisdictions extend rules. Produce and meat bags inside stores are also exempt.

Where does the 10-cent bag fee go?

Retailers retain the fee to offset the cost of providing compliant paper or reusable bags. It is not remitted to the state.

How does Riverside County compare?

See how Riverside County's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.

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Riverside County, CA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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