Single-Use Materials

Disposable straws, stirrers, and utensils must be non-plastic.

For examples of compliant foodware in the City of Santa Barbara, please download our Foodware Purchasing Guide.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, food providers may retain and dispense plastic straws as an accommodation to people with disabilities who request them.

To obtain an exemption or extension for disposable foodware or disposable foodware accessories, businesses must submit a waiver application.

Food and beverages served for consumption on vendor premises shall only be served using reusable foodware. 

For examples of reusable foodware, please download our Foodware Purchasing Guide.

There are exceptions for disposable paper food wrappers, sleeves, and bags, foil wrappers, paper napkins, straws and paper trays, and plate-liners for dining on the premises, so long as they meet the disposable foodware standards outlined in the ordinance.

To obtain an extension or exemption, the prepared food vendor must submit a waiver application and demonstrate an inability to comply due to insurmountable space constraints, undue hardship, and/or other extraordinary, insurmountable circumstances.

Rigid and expanded polystyrene products are prohibited. 

This prohibition includes the use, sale, and distribution of rigid polystyrene, expanded polystyrene (foam), and PS #6 products including:

• egg cartons
• packaging materials
• produce trays
• meat trays
• coolers
• cups/drinkware
• utensils
• condiment containers
• plates
• bowls

Sale and distribution of single-use plastic bottles equal to or less than 8 fluid ounces in volume are banned.

The ban does not apply to the provision of social services, healthcare settings, and cases deemed to be an emergency by the Sustainability & Resilience Director.

The sale and distribution of mylar, metalized, and foil balloons is prohibited.

The sale and distribution of mylar, foil, and plastic confetti is prohibited. 

The City encourages community members to celebrate without balloons and choose reusable or eco-friendly alternatives. Examples include paper garlands, paper lanterns, flower displays, paper confetti, bubbles, or reusable ribbon streamers. 

If you choose to use latex balloons, make sure to properly dispose of them by popping them, cutting them into small pieces, removing any string or ribbon and, finally, placing them into a trash container. 

Latex balloons are still permitted for sale. Releasing any balloons into the environment is littering.

All plastic carryout bags (including thicker "reusable" plastic bags) are banned at the point of sale in most grocery, retail, and convenience stores statewide.

California Senate Bill 1053 went into effect January 1, 2026, banning all plastic carryout bags. Stores may only provide recycled paper bags for a minimum 10-cent fee.

To learn more about California carryout bag requirements, visit CalRecycle.CA.gov.

At least 10% of beverages served at special events must be served in reusable cups.

Any person or organization providing food or beverages at a special event subject to Santa Barbara Municipal Code Chapter 15.17 must ensure that at least 10% of beverages served at the event are served in reusable beverage cups.  

An applicant for a City special event permit may request a full or partial waiver of the requirements by submitting a waiver application. To receive a waiver, applicant must demonstrate an inability to obtain reusable beverage cups for the special event or demonstrate that the requirement would create undue hardship or practical difficulty.