California SB 270 and SB 1046 ban single-use plastic carryout bags at OC grocery stores, pharmacies, and large retailers; reusable or paper bags require a 10-cent minimum charge.
Statewide California law since 2016 (Proposition 67 affirmed SB 270) prohibits grocery stores, supermarkets, drugstores, pharmacies, and convenience stores from providing thin single-use plastic carryout bags. Stores may sell recycled paper bags or thicker reusable plastic bags for at least 10 cents each, with revenue retained by the store. SB 1046 (2024) further bans the thicker reusable plastic bags starting January 1, 2026, allowing only paper recycled-content bags or true reusables. Restaurants, hardware stores, and produce bags are exempt. OC HCA and city code enforcement handle complaints; CalRecycle oversees retailer compliance.
Retailers face civil penalties of $1,000 first day, $2,000 second, and $5,000 each subsequent day per violation. Enforcement is typically complaint-driven through city or county code agencies.
See how other cities in Orange County handle plastic bag rules.
See how Huntington Beach's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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