Los Angeles, CA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Plastic bag ban
- Complete ban at covered stores and shops
- Paper bag charge
- $0.10 per recyclable paper bag (40% post-consumer content)
- Stores covered (Art. 2)
- Grocery stores ($2M+ sales), large pharmacies, drug/convenience stores
- Shops covered (Art. 2.1)
- Apparel, food/beverage facilities, hardware stores, farmers’ markets, open-air markets
- WIC/CalFresh exemption
- Free paper or reusable bags for program participants
- Fines (after written notice)
- Up to $100 / $200 / $500 per day (1st/2nd/3rd+ post-notice violations)
Summary
Los Angeles bans plastic single-use carryout bags at grocery stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and convenience stores (Article 2), and extends the ban to apparel stores, food/beverage facilities, hardware stores, and markets (Article 2.1). Recyclable paper bags may still be offered at a mandatory $0.10 charge.
SEC. 195.02. PROHIBITED CARRYOUT BAGS.
A. No Store shall provide to any Customer a Plastic Single-Use Carryout Bag for the purpose of carrying away goods or other materials from the point of sale.
B. No Store shall provide to any Customer a Paper Single-Use Carryout Bag for the purpose of carrying away goods or other materials from the point of sale, except as otherwise provided in this Article.
SEC. 195.06. ENFORCEMENT.
C. If a Store violates any of the requirements of this Article after a written notice has been issued pursuant to Subsection B. of this Section for that violation, the following penalties will be imposed and shall be payable by the Operator of the Store:
(1) A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first violation.
(2) A fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the second violation.
(3) A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the third and any subsequent violation(s).
SEC. 195.10. PROHIBITION OF PLASTIC AND PAPER SINGLE-USE CARRYOUT BAGS AT SHOPS.
A. No Shop shall offer or provide to any Customer a Plastic Single-Use Carryout Bag for the purpose of carrying away goods or other materials from the point of sale.
B. No Shop shall offer or provide to any Customer a Paper Single-Use Carryout Bag for the purpose of carrying away goods or other materials from the point of sale, except as provided in Section 195.11.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 195.02 covers Stores, full-line grocers with $2M+ in annual sales, large pharmacies (10,000+ sq ft), and drug/convenience stores, prohibiting both plastic and plain paper single-use carryout bags. LAMC § 195.10 extends the same prohibition to Shops: apparel stores, certified farmers’ market vendors, food/beverage facilities, hardware stores, and open-air market vendors. Both categories may offer Recyclable Paper Single-Use Carryout Bags (minimum 40% post-consumer recycled content) at $0.10 each. WIC and CalFresh participants receive bags free of charge.
Violations & Fines
Written warning issued for first violation. After notice: fine up to $100 (first post-notice violation), up to $200 (second), up to $500 (third and subsequent). Fine imposed per day the violation continues. Fines deposited to Citywide Recycling Trust Fund. Administrative Citations subject to Article 1.2 hearing and appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get a paper bag at the grocery store?
Does the plastic bag ban apply to clothing stores and restaurants?
Are produce bags at the grocery store exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California single-use items overview
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Plastic Bag Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle plastic bag rules.