Maryland Bag Ban, Fee & EPR Rules
Verified: July 29, 2026
Bag Ban Status
No statewide ban (active county-level rules (no state law)). No statewide bag ban. State-level packaging rule is EPR.
Plastic Bag Restrictions
Plastic carryout bags: active county-level rules (no state law).
Paper Bag Requirements
No statewide paper bag requirement.
Recycled Content (PCR)
No statewide recycled-content mandate for carryout bags.
Fees & Taxation
No statewide bag fee. Local fees also apply in some cities - see Local Ordinances below.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR for Packaging — enacted, pre-launch. Statute: SB 901 / Chapter 431, Laws of Maryland 2025 (signed 5/13/25). PRO: Circular Action Alliance (CAA) - currently only approved PRO. De minimis: <$2M global revenue OR <1 ton MD covered material. Penalties: Up to $25,000/violation.
Local Ordinances
Montgomery County — $0.10 fee + plastic ban (effective 1/1/26). Anne Arundel County — $0.10 + plastic ban (effective 1/1/24). Baltimore County — $0.05 fee + plastic ban. City of Annapolis — Local ban + fee. Howard County — Local ban + fee. Prince George's County — Local ban + fee. City of Frederick — Local ban + fee.
Key Dates
Producer registration deadline: 2026-07-01. Full implementation: 2028-07-01 (plan due); 2028-10-29 (enforcement begins).
Official Sources
- MDE — Producer Responsibility for Packaging and Paper Products (program page)
- SB 901 text
- Montgomery County bag tax
- Anne Arundel County 'Bring Your Own Bag' Act
- Baltimore County Bring Your Own Bag Law (county code-enforcement page)
- Prince George's County bag tax
- Maryland SB0901 (2025) — Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment and Producer Responsibility Act (bill page)
- Baltimore City Ordinance 21-0019
- Montgomery County bag tax (Municode)