Montgomery County Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1, 2026

Montgomery County's Bring Your Own Bag Tax Law (Bill No. 24-25), passed unanimously by the County Council on Feb. 11, 2025, takes effect January 1, 2026. The law prohibits plastic carryout bags at most retail locations countywide and increases the paper bag fee from 5 cents to 10 cents, with half the fee retained by retailers and half directed to the Water Quality Protection Charge administered by DEP. Exemptions apply to bags used for prescriptions, bulk items, dry cleaning, and perishable foods, as well as municipalities that have not adopted Chapter 48 of the County Code.