San Diego banned single-use plastic carryout bags effective June 22, 2017 at large stores and August 1, 2017 at smaller retailers. Retailers must charge at least 10 cents per recycled-content paper or reusable bag. The city ordinance now operates alongside California SB 270 and the SB 1053 phase-out of plastic reusables (Jan 2026).
After California SB 270 was upheld by referendum in November 2016, San Diego adopted its own implementing ordinance (Council File O-20825) in August 2016, with the citywide ban taking effect June 22, 2017 for stores over 10,000 sq ft and August 1, 2017 for smaller retailers. Plastic carryout bags are prohibited; retailers must sell recycled-content paper bags (40% post-consumer) or true reusable bags at no less than 10 cents each. The city ordinance now sits on top of California SB 270 (statewide ban) and SB 1053 (effective January 1, 2026), which removes the thicker "reusable" plastic film bag exemption. San Diego Environmental Services runs outreach for retailers and customers; non-profit Surfrider tracks beach-bag-litter trends.
Administrative penalties: $100 first violation, $200 second, $500 each subsequent violation within one year, per the city's Code Enforcement schedule. Repeat offenders may face a stop-sale order. Report violations through "Get It Done" at sandiego.gov.
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