North Four Corners News ♦ December 2025

Paper Bags Will Be 10 Cents, No Plastic Bags Allowed in 2026

By Jacquie Bokow

Starting 1 January 2026, Montgomery County’s new “Bring Your Own Bag Law” will take effect.  This law increases the paper bag tax to 10 cents per bag and bans plastic carryout bags in areas that include Silver Spring.

Retailers will retain five cents from each carryout bag provided, while the other five cents goes to the County to support the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge fund.

The law provides exemptions that allow certain plastic bags to be distributed and exempts certain paper bags from the 10-cent tax.  Key exemptions include:

• Customers paying with SNAP/WIC benefits (no bag tax).
• Restaurants providing prepared/leftover food, takeout, and drive-through (no bag tax).
• Bulk or perishable items like produce, meat, fish (plastic bags allowed).

Businesses that provide carryout bags will also be required to register with the County, post customer notices, and submit quarterly reporting and remittance of bag tax revenue.  Learn more details on the County website at the link below.

County Website

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