Orange County, CA Single-Use Items: Plastic Straw Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- CA AB 1884 (2018)
- Applies to
- Full-service restaurants
- Local bans
- Several OC coastal cities
- Annual fine cap
- $300
Summary
California AB 1884 prohibits OC full-service restaurants from automatically providing single-use plastic straws; customers must explicitly request one. Many OC coastal cities go further and ban plastic straws outright.
(e) “Single-use foodware accessory” means all of the following single-use items provided alongside ready-to-eat food:
(1) Utensils, which is defined as forks, knives, spoons, and sporks.
(2) Chopsticks.
(3) Condiment cups and packets.
(4) Straws.
(5) Stirrers.
(6) Splash sticks.
(7) Cocktail sticks.
(f) “Standard condiment” means relishes, spices, sauces, confections, or seasonings that require no additional preparation and that are usually used on a food item after preparation, including ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce, hot sauce, salsa, salt, pepper, sugar, and sugar substitutes.
(g) “Third-party food delivery platform” has the same meaning as in Section 113930.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
Full Breakdown
Assembly Bill 1884 (2018) was the first statewide straw-on-request law in the United States. Full-service (dine-in) restaurants in Orange County may not provide a single-use plastic straw unless the customer asks. Take-out, fast-food, and self-service operations are exempt from the state law but may face local restrictions. Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente ban plastic straws entirely, requiring paper, agave, bamboo, or pasta alternatives. Disability rights advocates secured an exception: any customer who needs a plastic straw for medical reasons may request one without being questioned about their disability.
Violations & Fines
First two violations earn a notice. Third and subsequent violations within a year are infractions with fines of $25 per day, capped at $300 annually under state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still ask for a plastic straw in OC?
Does the law cover bubble tea or smoothies?
Sources & Official References
- [1]CA AB 1884
Other rules in Orange County
California rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the California single-use items overview
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