Cannabis

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 cannabis activity” can operate within the city of Seattle (see Seattle code section 23.42.058). "Major cannabis activity" is any production, processing, or selling of cannabis, cannabis-infused products, usable cannabis, or cannabis concentrates.

No more than two state-licensed major cannabis uses that include retail sale of cannabis products may be located within 1,000 feet of each other (measured by property lines).

State-licensed major cannabis activity that includes retail sales of cannabis 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 cannabis uses that include retail sale of cannabis products from the uses listed above
- Major cannabis 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 cannabis-related activities are not considered “major cannabis 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 cannabis activity:

Production of cannabis involving up to 15 plants
Production of cannabis involving up to 60 plants by a legally operating cooperative registered with Washington state
Drying cannabis or adding cannabis into food, up to 15 plants
Drying cannabis or adding cannabis into food, up to 60 plants by a legally operating cooperative registered with Washington state

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

For proposed changes to land use regulations, see our Changes to Code page and the Office of Planning and Community Development's Ongoing Initiatives list.