Newport News, VA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)

Few Restrictions

Source: Virginia Legislative Information System →

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Virginia state rule: Newport News does not have a local ordinance for plastic bag rules. This topic is governed by Virginia state law and applies uniformly across the state.

Summary

Virginia Code 58.1-1745 authorizes counties and cities to impose a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags provided at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores within their borders.

Full Breakdown

Effective January 1, 2021, Virginia Code 58.1-1745 permits any county or city to impose a 5-cent per bag tax on disposable plastic bags provided to consumers at grocery, convenience, and drug stores. Adopting localities include Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Roanoke, and others. Retailers retain 2 cents per bag through 2022 and 1 cent thereafter to cover compliance costs. Reusable bags, paper bags, and bags for ice cream, prescriptions, or wrapped meat are exempt. Revenues fund environmental cleanup, education, and reusable bag distribution to SNAP and WIC recipients.

Violations & Fines

Retailers failing to collect and remit the bag tax face penalties under Title 58.1 enforcement provisions, including interest, late filing penalties, and potential audit assessments. The Tax Department administers compliance like other state-collected local taxes.

Newport News, VA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Sources & Official References

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