AN ACT Relating to allowing small business establishments in residential zones;
Summary
HB1175 requires cities and towns in Washington to allow certain small neighborhood businesses in any zone that permits residential uses. Specifically, it directs local governments to permit neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes in residential zones, while allowing cities and towns to regulate aspects such as parking, hours of operation, and additional standards so long as those regulations are feasible and do not effectively prohibit the businesses. The bill also requires neighborhood cafes that serve alcohol to offer food.
The bill defines a neighborhood cafe as a small establishment serving a limited menu of food items and meeting a minimum gross floor area threshold, and defines a neighborhood store as a convenience grocery store or minimarket offering a variety of convenience items such as food, beverages, and household goods, also subject to a minimum size requirement. Code cities are expressly authorized to adopt additional regulations, including maximum square footage requirements. The measure is aimed at expanding small-scale commercial activity in residential neighborhoods while preserving local authority over reasonable land-use controls.
Impact
HB1175 would amend Washington land-use law by adding new sections to chapter 35A RCW and chapter 36 RCW, creating a statewide requirement for cities, towns, and code cities to allow neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes in residential zones. It limits local zoning discretion by preempting outright exclusion of these uses in residential areas, while preserving municipal authority to regulate parking, hours, and other conditions that are feasible and not prohibitive. The bill affects local governments, small business owners, and property owners in residential neighborhoods.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support in the legislative process. It passed the House Local Government Committee unanimously, passed the House Appropriations Committee unanimously, and then passed third reading and final passage by a wide margin of 92-2. The vote history suggests a generally favorable view of the bill as a small-business and neighborhood-access measure.
Contention
There is little evidence of major controversy in the available record, but the bill does reflect a balance between expanding permitted uses in residential zones and preserving local regulatory control. The main potential point of contention is the extent to which the state should require cities and towns to allow these businesses in residential areas, versus leaving zoning decisions to local governments. Another possible issue is the scope of local regulation, including whether parking, hours, and size limits are sufficiently flexible to address neighborhood impacts without undermining the bill's purpose.
AN ACT Relating to improving the efficient delivery of services to persons with developmental disabilities by streamlining monitoring and oversight activities related to community residential service business providers;