When does the Ordinance begin?

June 1, 2022

• Food facilities shall not automatically provide single use foodware accessories unless requested by the customer.
• Full-service restaurants must use multiservice utensils.
• Online food-ordering platforms must provide food facilities with a way to allow users to choose from available foodware accessories or else include a statement on the platform informing users that the food facility does not provide single use foodware accessories.

May 1, 2023

• Food facilities start to provide single use articles that are only either compostable or recyclable.
• Retail establishments shall not sell, rent, or offer expanded polystyrene products to customers.

What food facilities and retail establishments must comply with the ordinance?

Businesses located within the unincorporated areas of L.A. County

How can I determine if my business is affected by the ordinance?

The best way is to enter the food facility or customer delivery address into this website and look for "Unincorporated" in the bulleted list. Note: do not enter any directional prefixes to the street names (such as: N, North, S, South, etc.), or street identifiers (such as: Boulevard, Blvd., Avenue, Ave., Street, St., etc.)

How does a food facility comply with the Ordinance?

• Cease providing single use plastic straws and stirrers from self-serve dispensers/stations.
• Cease automatically providing customers single use food service accessories such as utensils, straws, and condiments.
• Indicate which single use food service accessories are available through online food-ordering platforms.
• If the food facility is a full-service restaurant, only use multiservice utensils for dine-in customers.
• If providing single use food service articles such as accessories and food/beverage containers, use recyclable or compostable single use food service articles.
  • Starting May 1, 2023, by Category 1 Food Facilities
  • Food Facilities that are not Category 2 or 3 (i.e., restaurants, bars, fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, etc.)
  • Starting November 1, 2023, by Category 2 Food Facilities
  • Mobile food facilities (excludes street-food vendors)
  • Starting May 1, 2024, by Category 3 Food Facilities
  • Certified farmers' markets
  • Temporary food facilities
  • Catering operations

How can online food-ordering platforms assist food facilities with complying with the Ordinance?
Online food-ordering platforms may provide food facilities with an option to customize their menu on the online platform and must not have single use foodware accessories as the default order option.

Who is responsible for enforcement of the ordinance?

Los Angeles County Public Works has primary responsibility for enforcement. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health may assist with this enforcement responsibility by entering the premises of a food facility as part of their regular inspection function, so as to monitor compliance by reporting any alleged violations.

What are the penalties and fines for Ordinance violations?

• Written warning notice
• Food facility fine is one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of violation, up to a maximum fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per year
• Third-party online food-ordering business fine is one hundred dollars ($100) for the first day of violation and up to two hundred dollars ($200) for each additional day of violation
• Any person that violates any provision of this Chapter may be subject to a civil action, including, but not limited to, an injunction, and shall be liable for a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day of violation

Can written warnings and fines be disputed or appealed?

A business operator who receives a written warning notice or fine may request an administrative review of the accuracy of the determination or the propriety of any fine issued, by filing a written notice of appeal with the Director of Public Works no later than 30 days after receipt of a written warning notice or fine, as applicable.

The notice of appeal must include all facts supporting the appeal and any statements and evidence, including copies of all written documentation and a list of any witnesses that the appellant wishes to be considered in connection with the appeal.

The appeal will be heard by a hearing officer designated by the Director of Public Works. The hearing officer will conduct a hearing concerning the appeal within 45 days from the date that the notice of appeal is filed, or on a later date if agreed upon by the appellant and the County, and will give the appellant 10 days prior written notice of the date of the hearing.

The hearing officer may sustain, rescind, or modify the written warning notice or fine, as applicable, by written decision. The hearing officer will have the power to waive any portion of the fine in a manner consistent with the decision. The decision of the hearing officer is final and effective on the date of service of the written decision, is not subject to further administrative review, and constitutes the final administrative decision.