Santa Monica, CA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- What is banned
- Single-use plastic carry out bags (<2.25 mils thick)
- Minimum paper bag fee
- 10 cents per recycled paper bag
- Farmers Market rule
- No single-use plastic or paper bags; small recycled paper for mushrooms only
- Infraction fine
- Up to $250
- Misdemeanor fine
- Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
- WIC/SNAP exemption
- Bags provided free to program participants
Summary
Santa Monica bans single-use plastic carry out bags at all retail establishments. Grocery stores and pharmacies may only provide reusable bags or recycled paper bags (for at least 10 cents per bag). The ban also applies at City facilities, City-permitted events, and Santa Monica Farmers Markets.
(a) No retail establishment in the City shall provide a single-use plastic carry out bag to a customer unless otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.45.040. (b) No grocery store or pharmacy in the City shall provide any type of bag to a customer at the point of sale except a reusable bag or a recycled paper bag unless otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.45.040. (c) No person shall distribute a single-use plastic carry out bag at any City facility, City-managed concession, City-sponsored event, or City-permitted event unless otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.45.040. (d) No person shall distribute a single-use plastic carry out bag or any paper bag at the Santa Monica Farmers Markets, except eight-pound or smaller recycled paper bags for mushrooms may be distributed free of charge.
Full Breakdown
A single-use plastic carry out bag is any bag less than 2.25 mils thick made predominantly from plastic. Grocery stores and pharmacies must charge a paper bag cost pass-through of at least 10 cents per recycled paper bag. The Farmers Markets ban extends to all bag types except small recycled paper bags (8 pounds or less) for mushrooms. WIC and Supplemental Food Program participants receive recycled paper bags or reusable bags at no cost. Undue hardship exemptions of up to one year may be granted by the City Manager.
Violations & Fines
Infraction: fine up to $250. Misdemeanor: fine up to $1,000 or up to 6 months in the County Jail, or both. Each violation is a separate offense. Administrative fines may be graduated for repeat violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stores give me a plastic bag to carry my groceries?
Do stores charge for paper bags?
Is the plastic bag ban enforced at events and markets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California single-use items overview
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Plastic Bag Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle plastic bag rules.