Many cities and counties are currently in the process of adopting plastic bag ban ordinances.  Click here to learn more about plastic industry intimidation efforts against ordinances.  Below are the cities that have adopted ordinances. 

Alameda County and City, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and Union City

The Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org) adopted its ordinance banning plastic bags and placing a 10 cent price requirement on paper and reusable bags in January of 2012. It goes into effect on January 1, 2013 in unincorporated Alameda County as well as its
14 incorporated cities.

Calabasas

The Calabasas City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with a minimum ten cent price requirement on paper bags in February 2011.

Fairfax

The Fairfax City Council adopted its ban on plastic bags August 2007. After a legal challenge by the plastics industry, Fairfax voters overwhelmingly adopted a plastic bag ban by initiative in November 2008.

Long Beach

On May 17, 2011, the City of Long Beach passed a bag ordinance with a 5-0 vote. It banned single-use plastic bags and placed a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. The ordinance is effective in larger stores starting August 2011, and will expand to others stores in 2012.

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County adopted an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and placing a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in November 2010. The ordinance is effective for large supermarkets and retailers starting July 2011, and expands to other applicable stores in January of 2012.

Malibu

The Malibu City Council voted in May 2008 to ban plastic bags.

Manhattan Beach

The Manhattan Beach City council voted in July 2008 to ban plastic bags. The CA Supreme Court overturned a legal challenge to the ordinance in July 2011.

Marin County

Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance restricting the free distribution of single-use bags in January 2011, effective January 2012.

Monterey

The Monterey City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on December 6, 2011. The ordinance bans plastic bags and places an initial 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags for the first year (25 cents after).

Palo Alto

The Palo Alto City Council voted March 2009 to ban plastic bags at large supermarkets and announced their intention to consider expanding the ban to cover all retail stores as well as enacting a fee on paper bags.

Pasadena

In November of 2011, the Pasadena City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. Effective July 1, 2012 for large stores and supermarkets and December 2012 for convenience stores.

San Francisco

San Francisco became the first city in the nation to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags in April 2007.

San Jose

San Jose City Council voted and adopted a ban on single use plastic carryout bags in January 2011. The ban will extend to all retailers in the city, exempting restaurants and non-profit reuse organizations. It is effective January 1, 2012. For the first two years, paper bags will be sold under this ordinance at 10 cents each; after two years the minimum price per paper bag is 25 cents each.

San Luis Obispo County and City, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach

The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in January of 2012. It goes into effect on 9/1/12 in all seven incorporated cities as well as unincorporated areas of the county.

Santa Clara County

On April 26, 2011, the County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a single-use bag ordinance. The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and places a 15 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags throughout unincorporated county areas. It is effective January 1, 2012.

Santa Cruz County

On September 13, 2011, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a single-use bag ordinance. It bans single-use plastic bags and places a 10 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags throughout unincorporated county areas. It is effective March 20, 2012.

Santa Monica

The Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted for a ban on single-use plastic bags and a cost pass-through requirement per recyclable paper bag in January 2011. Visit their website for more information.

Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale passed a bag ordinance in December 2011. The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and places a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags which later increases to 25 cents. Starting June 20, 2012 it covers grocery and convenience stores and large retailers, and expands to cover all retailers by March 2013.