Sacramento enforces the California statewide plastic carryout bag ban under SB 270 (effective November 2016 after voter approval). All retailers must charge at least 10 cents per recycled-content paper or reusable bag. SB 1053, effective January 1, 2026, eliminates the thicker-plastic reusable bag exemption that survived the original SB 270.
Sacramento did not pass an early standalone plastic-bag ordinance — instead the city relies on California SB 270, which was passed in 2014 and upheld by Proposition 67 in November 2016 with 53% voter approval. Under state law, all grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores, and large retailers selling food are prohibited from providing single-use plastic carryout bags. They may instead sell recycled-content paper bags (40% post-consumer fiber) or thicker reusable bags at a minimum 10-cent charge per bag, retained by the retailer. Effective January 1, 2026, SB 1053 (Blakespear, 2024) eliminates the "thicker reusable plastic film" loophole, leaving paper and true reusable (woven or non-woven cloth) as the only legal checkout options statewide.
Enforced by CalRecycle and the Sacramento County District Attorney. Civil penalties under Public Resources Code §42286: up to $1,000 per day for a first violation, up to $2,000 per day for a second, and up to $5,000 per day for third and subsequent violations. Customer complaints go to CalRecycle.
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Sacramento, CA
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