Montgomery County's Bring Your Own Bag Law
The Bring Your Own Bag Law amends the County’s current law related to the use of plastic and paper carryout bags. The law takes effect January 1, 2026. The most significant changes in the new law are an increase in the bag tax to 10 cents (of which the retailer gets to keep 5 cents) and a prohibition on the use of plastic carryout bags. Businesses in some municipalities in Montgomery County are exempt from the prohibition on the use of plastic bags.
The revenues from this charge are deposited into the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) fund. The revenues help to shift the burden of litter cleanup costs from public taxpayers to consumers who have a choice to avoid the 10-cent charge by bringing reusable bags.