California Public Resources Code 42270-42273, enacted by AB 1884 (2018), prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. The on-request rule applies uniformly to dine-in restaurants statewide.
Public Resources Code 42270-42273 requires full-service restaurants in California to refrain from providing single-use plastic straws automatically. Straws may only be supplied upon customer request. The law applies to dine-in restaurants where servers take orders at the table; quick-service and fast-food establishments are not directly covered by AB 1884. Local governments retain authority to adopt stricter ordinances banning all plastic straws, including in fast-food settings, and several California cities have done so. SB 54 (2022) further regulates plastic foodware including straws.
Violations result in a notice for the first two offenses; subsequent violations carry fines up to $25 per day, capped at $300 annually under Public Resources Code 42272.
See how Arcata's plastic straw rules rules stack up against other locations.
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