Ulster County, NY Single-Use Items: Plastic Straw Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Law name
- Straws/Cutlery Upon Request law
- Adopted
- L.L. No. 2-2019
- Applies to
- Restaurants & fast food establishments
- Signage
- Required at each location
Summary
Ulster County restaurants and fast food establishments may only give out plastic beverage straws when a customer specifically asks for one.
Restaurants and fast food service establishments shall only provide a single-use plastic beverage straw, single-use plastic cutlery, and single-use plastic to a dine-in customer upon the customer's request.
B. Restaurants and fast food service establishments shall only provide a single-use plastic beverage straw, single-use plastic cutlery, and single-use plastic stirrers to a customer purchasing a take-out food order upon the customer's request.
C. Restaurants and fast food service establishments shall provide single-use condiment packets to a dine-in customer and/or a customer purchasing a take-out food order upon the customer's request; however, the establishment may display single-use condiment packets allowing for a customer to help oneself without a request.
D. Nothing in this article shall prevent any establishment from providing paper or nonplastic straws or biodegradable alternatives to plastic stirrers and cutlery without a request.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818905; v25 updated 2025-11-18; through 11-18-2025).
Full Breakdown
Restaurants and fast food service establishments in Ulster County may provide a single-use plastic beverage straw to a dine-in customer, or to a customer picking up a takeout order, only upon that customer's request: the same request-only rule applies to plastic stirrers for takeout orders. Establishments must post a sign stating the items are available upon request, and nothing stops them from offering paper or biodegradable straws freely, without a request.
Violations & Fines
First violation gets a written warning; repeat offenses are fined $25, then $50, then up to $100 per offense, with each establishment location counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a customer still get a plastic straw in Ulster County?
Are paper straws restricted too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ulster County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Ulster County to another location·View the New York single-use items overview
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