Sonoma County Jurisdictions are Taking Steps to Ban Styrofoam and Disposable Food Ware

Polystyrene Foam and Single Use Disposable Food Ware Ordinance

The Disposable Food Service Ware and Polystyrene Foam Model Ordinance was developed by Zero Waste Sonoma staff in 2018, and approved by the Agency Board of Directors. City Councils were presented the ordinance in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Most jurisdictions opted to delay ordinance enforcement until 2022, due to COVID-19. Understanding the significant impacts of the pandemic particularly to restaurants, the focus for the near future on technical assistance first before punitive action is taken. Following adoption, businesses will have a grace period to sell or use their existing stock of disposable food service ware and polystyrene foam products.

More information and details about the ordinance can be found on this webpage.

This page was last updated June 7, 2022.

Jurisdiction (municipal code linked)	Ordinance Modifications	Effective
Cloverdale	Model Ordinance excluding PFAS amendment	Yes
Cotati	Model Ordinance Adopted	Yes
Healdsburg	Model Ordinance Adopted	Yes
Petaluma	Currently only prohibiting the sale/use of polystyrene foam	Yes
Rohnert Park	Model Ordinance Adopted	No
Santa Rosa	Model Ordinance plus additional requirements: Reusable food ware + accessories for onsite dining Condiments served in bulk dispensers rather than packets for onsite dining 3-bins for customer use with graphic rich signage indicating proper disposal/recycling/compost Recycled content paper bags for takeout	Yes
Sebastopol	Model Ordinance plus additional requirements: Reusable food ware + accessories for onsite dining Condiments served in bulk dispensers rather than packets for onsite dining 3-bins for customer use with graphic rich signage indicating proper disposal/recycling/compost Recycled content paper bags for takeout	Yes
Sonoma	Model Ordinance Adopted	Yes
Windsor	Model Ordinance Adopted	Yes
County of Sonoma	Model Ordinance Adopted	Yes