San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban single-use plastic checkout bags in 2007 (grocers) and expanded the ban citywide to all retailers and restaurants in 2012. The minimum charge per compliant paper or reusable bag is 25 cents — the highest in California. SB 1053 phases out thicker plastic reusables January 1, 2026.
San Francisco passed the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance in March 2007, banning single-use plastic carryout bags at supermarkets with $2 million+ in annual sales — the first such ban in the United States. In 2012, the city expanded coverage to all retail stores and restaurants under SF Environment Code Chapter 16, and raised the mandatory checkout-bag charge to 10 cents, then to 25 cents in 2020. Retailers must offer either compostable plastic (BPI-certified), paper with 40% post-consumer recycled content, or true reusable bags. California SB 270 ratified bans statewide in 2016; SB 1053 (effective January 1, 2026) eliminates the thicker "reusable" plastic film loophole, leaving paper and woven reusable bags as the only legal options at checkout.
SF Environment issues warnings on first contact, then administrative fines of $100 / $200 / $500 per day for first, second, and subsequent violations within a year. Repeat offenders may be referred to the City Attorney. Report violations at sfenvironment.org or (415) 355-3700.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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