Utah Plastic Bags: No State Preemption; Some City Bans

Utah has no 'auxiliary container' preemption statute; the section previously cited here does not exist. In 2019, HB 320 sought to bar local bag bans and fees but failed, and the Legislature has not enacted a replacement. Cities and counties therefore retain authority to regulate single-use carryout bags. Park City and Moab prohibit single-use plastic carryout bags, and other jurisdictions have considered similar measures. Most Utah cities impose no bag restriction, so requirements depend entirely on local ordinances.

Where a city bans or restricts plastic bags, retailers who violate the ordinance face penalties set by that municipality; there is no statewide bag penalty.