Full text of Measure C

ORDINANCE NO. ____________

ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 5.47.050 OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO COLLECT 12.5 CENTS OF THE MANDATORY CHARGE FOR DISPOSABLE SINGLE-USE CUPS AS A TAX

The Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County ordains as follows:

SECTION I

Section 5.47.050 of the Santa Cruz County Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

5.47.050 Mandatory charge for disposable cups; portion of charge collected as a tax.

A. Any person, business, event, food truck, or other entity, including both permanent and temporary facilities, which sells or provides hot or cold beverages in a single-use disposable cup must charge an additional $0.25 for each cup. Sellers may not waive or absorb such charges.

B. Charges for disposable cups shall be identified separately on any post-sale receipt provided and, pre-sale, shall be clearly identified for the customer on media such as menus, ordering platforms, and/or menu boards. Customers placing orders online or by telephone shall be informed of disposable cup charges at the time the order is placed.

C. Businesses may not charge for use of a reusable cup provided by the customer.

D. Twelve and a half cents ($0.125) of each mandatory cup charge shall be collected and distributed by the seller to the County of Santa Cruz as a tax. The remainder of the charge shall be retained by the seller.

SECTION II

This ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2023.