Oklahoma City cannot ban plastic straws or require on-request-only service. The state's auxiliary-container preemption, 11 O.S. §22-101.1, bars cities from regulating packaging including straws. Restaurants may voluntarily switch to paper or only-on-request service.
California, Seattle, and other West Coast cities limit plastic straws either through bans or upon-request rules. Oklahoma's SB 1112 (2019), codified at 11 O.S. §22-101.1, prevents Oklahoma City from doing the same. The statute covers auxiliary containers and accessories used to convey food and drink, which has been read to include straws and stirrers. As a result, Oklahoma City lacks the authority to require restaurants to ask before providing a straw or to ban plastic straws outright. Many OKC restaurants nonetheless adopt paper or compostable straws voluntarily for guest preference or sustainability reasons. ADA-aligned exceptions for diners with disabilities are good practice even where there is no mandate.
OKC cannot cite a business for offering plastic straws. A city ordinance attempting to ban or restrict straws would be invalidated under the state preemption.
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City cannot ban polystyrene foam takeout containers. Oklahoma's auxiliary-container preemption statute, 11 O.S. §22-101.1, enacted by SB 1112 (2019)...
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City cannot ban plastic shopping bags or charge a bag fee. The Oklahoma legislature passed SB 1112 in 2019, codified at 11 O.S. §22-101.1, which pre...
See how Oklahoma 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.