South Lake Tahoe plastic bag ban to meet state regulations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since the adoption of a ban in January 2014, South Lake Tahoe has not allowed single-use plastic bags in grocery stores and at food vendors. The ban was to apply to all other retail outlets after one year, but that ban was delayed by the City Council at that time and then later amended to remove that portion.

In October 2019, the City received a request from the League to Save Lake Tahoe to bring the City’s regulations in line with California state law. This law bans single-use plastic bags not only in grocery stores and food vendors, but also in retail stores with a pharmacy, convenience stores, and liquor stores. State law also requires a fee of at least 10 cents per paper or reusable plastic bag requested by customers at these establishments.

After studying the issue, City Attorney Heather Stroud recommended that if they agreed, the City Council should adopt an ordinance repealing the City’s regulations and instead rely upon state law. There was no clear path to simply amend the City's regulations as they were past the cutoff date for amendments.

During their meeting on Tuesday, City Council directed staff to do just that, Staff will bring back to the Council a repeal of the City’s existing ordinance. Once they vote on the repeal, most likely during their next meeting, it would be the first reading, then implementation 30 days after a second reading, if approved, to give retailers time to plan.

The 10 cent charge on the bags does not go to the government, but remains with the store to offset the cost of the higher cost bag. This charge is to ensure customers who bring their own bags don't have to supplement the cost of other shoppers' bags anymore and encourages the use of reusable bags.