ARS §11-269.18 (2015) preempts Arizona cities and counties from regulating auxiliary containers like plastic bags, bottles, and cups, leaving Tucson without authority to ban or tax single-use plastic carryout bags.
Arizona enacted ARS §11-269.18 in 2015 to bar local governments from imposing fees, taxes, or restrictions on auxiliary containers. The statute defines auxiliary containers broadly to include plastic and reusable bags, bottles, cups, and packaging. Tucson had explored a bag fee before the law passed and was forced to abandon the effort. The statute's enforcement teeth come from ARS §41-194.01, which lets the state withhold shared revenue from cities found violating preemption. Voluntary retailer programs and reusable-bag campaigns continue. Local environmental groups have lobbied for repeal but the preemption remains in force as of 2026.
Adopting a banned ordinance can trigger an Attorney General investigation under ARS §41-194.01 and loss of state-shared revenue, a powerful financial deterrent for any Arizona city.
Tucson, AZ
ARS §11-269.18 also bars Tucson from banning polystyrene foam takeout containers, leaving control of expanded polystyrene foodware to retailer and restaurant...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson cannot ban plastic straws under ARS §11-269.18, but the city encourages the upon-request model and partners with restaurants on voluntary transitions ...
See how Tucson's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.