Bexar County cannot ban plastic carryout bags. The Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association struck down local bag bans as preempted by the Texas Health and Safety Code container provision.
Texas cities and counties have no authority to prohibit single-use plastic carryout bags. In 2018, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association that municipal bag ordinances are preempted by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961, which bars local rules assessing fees on or prohibiting containers used for solid waste management purposes. Bexar County therefore does not ban or fee plastic bags at retail. Voluntary store-level programs, reusable bag promotions, and recycling drop-offs continue. Some H-E-B and other Bexar County retailers offer in-store film recycling. Any future Bexar County bag rule would face the same preemption barrier absent a legislative change.
There are no county penalties for plastic bag use because local bans are preempted. Retailers face no county fee or surcharge requirement for distributing plastic carryout bags.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bexar County, TX
Bexar County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. The county confirms there are no zoning regulations outside city limits. Texas counties...
Bexar County, TX
Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 757 (Pool Yard Enclosure Act) sets statewide pool fencing rules but applies ONLY to multi-unit rental and POA pools — not sing...
Bexar County, TX
Bexar County cannot restrict tiny homes in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no zoning or minimum dwelling-size authority. Tiny homes on foundations ...
Bexar County, TX
Bexar County does not regulate sheds in unincorporated areas — Texas counties have no general zoning authority. A county permit is only triggered if the shed...
Bexar County, TX
Bexar County deputies enforce loud-party and nuisance gathering complaints under disorderly conduct, noise, and unruly gathering rules. Hosts of repeat loud ...
Bexar County, TX
Bexar County follows state minimums under Texas Health and Safety Code 161 and supports city-level smoking ordinances. Smoking and vaping are restricted near...
See how Bexar County'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.