Montgomery County passed a new law, the Bring Your Own Bag Law, that changes how you get bags when shopping in Montgomery County, beginning January 1, 2026. The goal is simple: reduce waste, protect our waterways, and encourage everyone to bring their own reusable bags. 

Key Things to Know 
  • No more plastic carryout bags at many businesses.
    Plastic carryout bags will be prohibited starting January 1, 2026, though businesses in some municipalities within the county are exempt from this ban. 
  • Paper bags will cost 10 cents each.
    If you forget your reusable bag, you can purchase a paper bag at checkout for 10 cents 
  • Bring your own reusable bags.
    Save money and the environment by keeping reusable bags handy. They're sturdier, hold more, and won't rip on the way home. 
  • Some types of bags and some customers are exempt from the law: 
  • Plastic bags are still allowed for: 
  • Prescription medications from pharmacies 
  • Fresh produce, meats, seafood, or bulk food items 
  • Dry cleaning and garment bags 
  • The 10¢ paper bag tax (excise tax) does not apply for: 
  • Customer transactions paying with SNAP, WIC or other state-approved food assistance benefits at a grocery store. 
  • Restaurant takeout and delivery orders 
  • Rules may vary by location.
    Some municipalities within Montgomery County allow businesses to provide plastic bags, but they must charge 10 cents per bag. The full list of municipalities are listed in the FAQs below. The easiest way to avoid confusion? Always bring your own bag! 
Why This Matters 

Revenue from the bag tax supports the County's water quality and anti-litter initiatives, as part of a broader effort to reduce waste and protect the environment. By bringing your own reusable bags, you're helping: 

  • Save money 
  • Reduce plastic waste 
  • Protect local waterways and wildlife 
  • Support a more sustainable Montgomery County 

The Department of Environmental Protection gives away reusable bags while supplies last at locations throughout the county to support the Carryout Bag Law. Residents may obtain a free reusable bag at the following locations: all public Libraries, SNAP benefit offices, HHS Neighborhood Opportunity Network offices, Medicaid Outreach, and Manna Foods.' The municipalities that have not adopted Chapter 48 or adopted a plastic bag ban are: 

  • Town of Barnesville 
  • Chevy Chase Village 
  • Chevy Chase Sec. 3 
  • City of Gaithersburg 
  • Town of Garrett Park 
  • Town of Glen Echo 
  • Village of Martin's Addition 
  • Town of Somerset 
  • Town of Washington Grove 

Are any bags exempt under the law?
Yes. Plastic carryout bag does not include: 

  • a plastic bag provided by a pharmacist that contains a prescription drug 
  • any newspaper bag or bag intended for garbage, pet waste, or yard waste 
  • a bag provided at the point of sale at seasonal event, such as an occasional farmer's market, a full-time retail operation located on a farm, a street fair, a yard sale 
  • a bag used to package bulk items, including fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, ice, or small hardware items 
  • a bag that contains hanging garments or dry-cleaned clothes, including suits, jackets, or dresses 
  • a bag or plastic bag sleeve used to contain or wrap a perishable item, including meat or fish, or unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods 
  • a bag used to take live fish, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, or amphibians away from the retail establishment 
  • a bag used to package items for the purpose of charitable food distribution. 

Paper carryout bag does not include: 

  • a paper bag provided by a pharmacist that contains a prescription drug 
  • a bag used to take live fish, insects, mollusks, or crustaceans away from a retail establishment 
  • a paper bag that a restaurant gives a customer to take prepared or leftover food or drink from a restaurant 
  • a paper bag containing prepared food provided at the drive-through window of a restaurant 
  • a paper bag provided at a mobile food truck that contains prepared food 
  • a paper bag provided for food delivery that is collected by a third-party delivery service to carry the purchased item 
  • any paper bag intended for garbage, pet waste, or yard waste 
  • a bag used to package bulk items, including fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, ice, or small hardware items 
  • a bag that contains hanging garments or dry-cleaned clothes, including suits, jackets, or dresses 
  • a bag or paper bag sleeve used to contain or wrap a perishable item, including meat or fish, or unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods 
  • a bag provided at the point of sale at seasonal event, such as an occasional farmer's market, a full-time retail operation located on a farm, a street fair, a yard sale 
  • a bag used to package items for the purpose of charitable food distribution 

When the law refers to bags used to package bulk or perishable items, it is talking about the types of bags that you find in the produce section of the supermarket for customers to bag loose items—e.g, green beans, nuts—or the types of bags that might be used to wrap what is ordered at the deli counter, seafood counter, or fresh meat counter.