Snohomish County, Washington, is moving forward with a proposal that would substantially reduce minimum separation requirements between marijuana stores in rural areas, including cutting the existing 10,000-foot requirement in half across much of the county.
The Snohomish County Council on Tuesday moved Ordinance 26-063 to its General Legislative Session regular agenda, with the measure now scheduled for consideration October 7.
Under current county rules, marijuana retailers in urban areas generally must remain at least 2,500 feet from another retailer, while stores in rural and resource zones face a much larger 10,000-foot separation requirement.
The proposed ordinance would replace that framework with two tiers.
Marijuana stores in all urban zones, as well as the Clearview Rural Commercial and Rural Business zones, would be required to remain at least 2,500 feet from another marijuana retailer.
Stores in all other zones would face a 5,000-foot separation requirement, cutting the current 10,000-foot restriction for rural and resource areas by 50%.
The county’s existing 1,000-foot restriction involving primary and secondary schools would remain in place.
Planning staff said the changes are intended to bring Snohomish County’s rules closer to those used by nearby jurisdictions. County documents note that Washington state generally requires 1,000-foot buffers between marijuana stores and specified sensitive locations, while Everett requires 2,500 feet between marijuana retailers.
Staff said the existing county rules differ substantially from state standards and neighboring jurisdictions and that reducing the restrictions could create a more supportive environment for small businesses.
The proposal would also repeal several exemptions that currently allow certain older, nonconforming marijuana retail locations to avoid the separation requirements. Existing nonconforming properties would instead be handled under the county’s general rules governing nonconforming uses and structures.
In addition, Ordinance 26-063 would replace references to “marijuana” with “cannabis” throughout several relevant sections of county code.
County Planning and Development Services has recommended approval of the changes. The proposal was formally introduced in September and received an executive recommendation for approval on September 18 before being moved to the council’s regular agenda Tuesday.
