TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Masa Alkire, Community Development Director
Britny Coker-Moen, Environmental Programs Administrator
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 26-0004, Amending Title 5 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Related to Plastic Carryout Bag Regulations (No Budget Impact) (Community Development Director Alkire).
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 26-0004
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 26-0004, amending Title 5 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) related to plastic carryout bag regulations.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
On March 3, 2026, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 26-0004, amending Title 5 of the MBMC related to plastic carryout bag regulations.
DISCUSSION:
Ordinance No. 26-0004 will amend Section 5.80 (Environmental Regulations) of the MBMC regarding plastic carryout bag regulations to prohibit all businesses operating in the City of Manhattan Beach from distributing plastic carryout bags to customers at the point of sale, requiring that carryout bags distributed are paper bags made of a minimum of 40 percent (40%) post-consumer recycled content until December 31, 2027, and a minimum of 50 percent (50%) post-consumer recycled content on or after January 1, 2028.
Adopting the ordinance would reduce plastic waste and plastic pollution that adversely affects the marine environment.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 26-0004, amending Title 5 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code related to plastic carryout bag regulations, and becoming effective on the 31st day after its passage.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
On December 10, 2025, staff presented this matter to the North Manhattan Beach Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce at their all-member meeting. On February 12, 2026, staff presented this matter at the Downtown Business and Professional Association (DBPA) monthly board meeting. The Chamber, DBPA and North Manhattan Beach Business Association were invited to this City Council meeting and asked to notify their members. The public has been informed of this agenda item as part of the City’s standard meeting notice practices via public bulletin boards, website calendar, and social media.
Following ordinance adoption, staff will work with the Manhattan Beach business community, including the DBPA and North Manhattan Beach Business Association, to ensure that affected establishments are contacted regarding the regulatory changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 26-0004
2. City Council Staff Report - March 3, 2026