Arizona's auxiliary container preemption blocks cities and counties from banning, taxing, or regulating plastic straws and stirrers.
Plastic straws fall within the definition of auxiliary containers in ARS 9-500.38 and ARS 11-269.16, which cover reusable and single-use items used to contain, transport, or consume food and beverages. Arizona local governments cannot impose straw bans, on-request rules, or fees on straws. Restaurants may voluntarily switch to paper or compostable alternatives, but enforcement of mandatory restrictions is preempted. The legislature framed the law as protecting consumer choice and business uniformity statewide.
Local straw ordinances are void and unenforceable; state shared revenue may be withheld from non-compliant cities.
See how Lake Havasu City's plastic straw rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.