North Carolina Plastic Bag Rules (2026)

Full Breakdown

From 2010 to 2017 the coastal counties of Dare, Hyde, and Currituck operated under a statewide-mandated plastic bag ban for large retailers. The North Carolina General Assembly repealed that ban effective December 1, 2017. There is currently no statewide ban, fee, or mandate on single-use plastic carryout bags in North Carolina, and the state has not granted general authority to municipalities to impose plastic bag bans, leaving any local effort vulnerable to legal challenge. Retailers can voluntarily adopt reusable-bag programs.

Violations & Penalties

There are no statewide penalties tied to plastic bag distribution; local ordinances attempting bans may be challenged as unauthorized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are plastic carryout bags banned anywhere in North Carolina?

No. The former Outer Banks ban was repealed in 2017 and no current statewide or municipal plastic bag ban is in effect.

Can a North Carolina city pass a plastic bag fee?

Likely no. State law does not grant clear authority to municipalities to impose bag fees, and any local fee would face preemption challenges.

Sources

North Carolina General Statutes

North Carolina Plastic Bag Regulation Status