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Riverside County, CA Single-Use Items: Plastic Straw Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

State authority
PRC 42271 / AB 1884
Applies to
Full-service dine-in only
Fines after warnings
$25 per day, $300 cap
Exempt
Fast food, takeout

Summary

Under California Assembly Bill 1884, dine-in restaurants in Riverside County may not automatically provide single-use plastic straws; customers must request one. Fast-food and takeout are exempt.

City-specific rules exist: Riverside has its own plastic straw rules rules that differ from Riverside County's county-level regulations. If you live in Riverside, check the city-specific page instead.

(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), a food facility, for on-premises dining or when using a third-party food delivery platform, shall not provide any single-use foodware accessory or standard condiment packaged for single use to a consumer unless the single-use foodware accessory or standard condiment is requested by the consumer. (b) Single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments packaged for single use provided by food facilities for use by consumers shall not be bundled or packaged in a manner that prohibits a consumer from taking only the type of single-use foodware accessory or standard condiment desired without also having to take a different type of single-use foodware accessory or standard condiment. (c) A food facility may ask a drive-through consumer if the consumer wants a single-use foodware accessory if the single-use foodware accessory is necessary for the consumer to consume ready-to-eat food, or to prevent spills of or safely transport ready-to-eat food. [...] (e)(1) A third-party food delivery platform shall provide consumers with the option to request single-use foodware accessories or standard condiments from a food facility serving ready-to-eat food. (2) If a food facility uses any third-party delivery platform for ready-to-eat food, the food facility shall customize its menu with a list of available single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments, and only those single-use foodware accessories or standard condiments selected by the consumer shall be provided by the food facility. [...] (h) Nothing in this section shall prevent a city, county, city and county, or other local public agency from adopting and implementing an ordinance or rule that would further restrict a food facility or a third-party food delivery platform from providing single-use foodware accessories or standard condiments to a consumer.

Source: California PRC 42271View official code

Full Breakdown

Public Resources Code section 42271 (AB 1884) prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. The law applies only to full-service establishments where staff serve seated patrons; it does not cover quick-service restaurants, drive-throughs, coffee shops, or takeout-only operations. Riverside County Environmental Health includes the rule in routine inspections. The first two violations result in written warnings; subsequent violations carry small fines. Compostable, paper, or other non-plastic straws may still be provided by default. The rule complements AB 1276 utensil-on-request requirements.

Violations & Fines

Two warnings, then 25 dollars per day for additional violations capped at 300 dollars annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get a plastic straw at a fast-food drive-through?
Yes. AB 1884 only restricts full-service restaurants. Quick-service and drive-throughs may continue offering plastic straws by default.
Are paper straws covered by the law?
No. The restriction applies only to single-use plastic straws. Paper, compostable, and reusable alternatives may be provided automatically.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Riverside County

All Riverside County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California single-use items overview

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Plastic Straw Rules in Cities Across Riverside County