Marijuana Code
What is it?
In late September 2022, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed into law three actions that addressed race and social equity in cannabis business licensing, workforce equity, job security in the cannabis industry, and removing cannabis convictions from legal records. For more information, read Mayor Harrell Signs Suite of Legislation to Improve Equity in Cannabis Industry.
We regulate where State-licensed “major marijuana activity” can operate within the city of Seattle (see Seattle code section 23.42.058). "Major marijuana activity" is any production, processing, or selling of marijuana, marijuana-infused products, usable marijuana, or marijuana concentrates.
No more than two State-licensed major marijuana uses that include retail sale of marijuana products may be located within 1,000 feet of each other (measured by property lines).
State-licensed major marijuana activity that includes retail sales of marijuana products must be located at least:
- 1,000 feet from properties containing elementary schools, secondary schools, or playgrounds
- 500 feet from properties containing child care centers, game arcades, libraries, public parks, public transit centers, or recreational centers or facilities, with these exceptions:
- In Downtown Mixed Commercial and Downtown Mixed Residential zones north of Yesler Way, at least 250 feet must separate major marijuana uses that include retail sale of marijuana products from the uses listed above
- Major marijuana activities that do not include retail sales must be at least 250 feet from the above uses
We also regulate odors from these uses in several zones where they may be present.
What It Isn’t
Some types of marijuana-related activities are not considered “major marijuana activity” if they are within a dwelling unit occupied by a qualifying patient or designated provider (see RCW 69.51A.010), or within an enclosed structure that is accessory to such a dwelling unit. Under these conditions, the following activities are NOT major marijuana activity:
- Production of marijuana involving up to 15 plants
- Production of marijuana involving up to 60 plants by a legally operating cooperative registered with Washington State
- Drying marijuana or adding marijuana into food, up to 15 plants
- Drying marijuana or adding marijuana into food, up to 60 plants by a legally operating cooperative registered with Washington State
See our archived Marijuana Zoning Restrictions Changes to Code page for more information, including code development documents.
Read the Code
- Ordinance 124969
- Update to Marijuana Zoning Restrictions Report (October 2015)
- Marijuana Restrictions Report (September 2012)
- Permitting for Marijuana Business
- Tip 102, Small Business: Getting Your Use and Building Permit from SDCI
Proposed Changes
None