Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.881 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) and SB-54 extend parallel statewide standards to all cities.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.881, codified in the County Ordinance Code, prohibits any food provider in unincorporated areas 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, recyclable, or reusable alternatives. The ordinance preceded the statewide framework. California AB-1276 (Public Resources Code section 42273) and SB-54 (PRC section 42041) now extend parallel rules statewide, so all fifteen Santa Clara County cities effectively bar EPS food ware as well. The County Department of Environmental Health enforces locally with warnings, then escalating administrative fines.
Distributing or using EPS foam food ware violates SCC Ord. NS-300.881 and triggers warnings, then administrative fines up to several hundred dollars per day from the County Department of Environmental Health.
See how Santa Clara's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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