<p>Stress-constrained topology optimization has been widely applied across various engineering domains, including the design of plate structures. Due to the computational challenges arising from the large number of local constraints, this problem is often addressed using aggregation methods, which assess global stress measures. However, given the inherently local nature of stress and recent developments in the literature, stress-constrained topology optimization should be approached through a local measure framework. In this work, we employ the Augmented Lagrangian method to solve an aggregation-free stress-constrained topology optimization for plate structures. This method, previously demonstrated to be efficient for both membrane and solid structures, enhances scalability for local stress optimization. The proposed algorithm is compatible with any finite element mesh, including arbitrary polygonal meshes, which offer robust meshing capabilities for complex geometries. An assumed strain field based on Timoshenko beam theory is applied to each element’s polygonal edges to prevent shear locking. Consequently, the methodology accommodates both thick and thin plate cases, utilizing the Reissner–Mindlin theory for its formulation. Several examples are provided to validate and examine the contributions of the proposed technique, which can be readily implemented using open-source software.</p>