LA County Code Title 12.84 bars food vendors and county facilities in unincorporated areas from using expanded polystyrene foam containers, cups, plates, and trays. California AB-1276 (Public Resources Code section 42273) extends parallel statewide standards to all cities since 2024.
LA County Code Title 12, chapter 12.84 (originally adopted in 2008) prohibits any food provider in unincorporated LA County from selling, distributing, or using disposable expanded polystyrene foam food service ware, including cups, plates, bowls, clamshells, and trays. County departments and contractors are also barred from purchasing EPS. Restaurants must use compostable or recyclable alternatives. California Assembly Bill 1276 (Public Resources Code section 42273) and SB-54 (PRC section 42041) extend parallel rules statewide, so all 88 LA County cities now bar EPS food ware too. The Department of Public Works enforces locally with warnings, then escalating administrative fines.
Distributing or using EPS foam food ware violates LACO Title 12.84 and triggers warnings, then administrative fines up to several hundred dollars per day from LA County Department of Public Works.
See how Pasadena's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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