A. No retail establishment that sells perishable or nonperishable goods including, but not limited to, clothing, food, and personal items directly to the customer, shall provide a single-use carryout bag to a customer at the check stand, cash register, point of sale or other point of departure for the purpose of transporting food or merchandise out of the establishment, except as provided in this chapter.

B. To allow retail establishments an opportunity to make necessary arrangements for compliance and to use remaining stocks of plastic single-use carryout bags, retail establishments shall have six months from the effective date to comply with the regulations of this chapter. During this period, it shall be the policy of the city to encourage voluntary adherence to the requirements of this chapter.

C. Six months from the effective date and thereafter, a retail establishment may make recycled paper bags or reusable bags available to customers only if the retail establishment charges a minimum charge of ten cents per such bag. Only recycled paper bags and reusable bags as defined in this chapter may be made available for purchase.

D. No earlier than twelve months from the effective date, the city council may establish a higher minimum charge for a recycled paper bag and reusable bag up to twenty-five cents by amendment of this chapter.

E. Notwithstanding this chapter, when a recycled paper bag or a reusable bag is distributed to the customer, the amount of the sale of the recycled paper bag or reusable bag shall be separately itemized on the sales receipt.

F. These regulations do not apply to public eating establishments as defined herein.

G. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a retail establishment may provide one or more recycled paper bags or reusable bags at no cost to the following individuals: a customer participating in the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC Program) pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the California Health and Safety Code; a customer participating in the Supplemental Food Program pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 15500) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code; and a customer participating in Cal Fresh pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code. (Ord. 2014-05 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2014)