King County, WA Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Default buffer
- 1000 feet
- Reducible to
- 100 feet (some uses)
- School buffer
- Cannot be reduced
- Authority
- RCW 69.50.331
Summary
State law and King County Code require licensed cannabis retailers, producers, and processors to sit at least 1000 feet from schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care, public parks, public transit centers, libraries, and game arcades. Cities may reduce the buffer to 100 feet for some uses.
(8)(a) Except as provided in (b) through (e) of this subsection, the board may not issue a license for any premises within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of the grounds of any elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, or library, or any game arcade admission to which is not restricted to persons aged 21 years or older.
(b) A city, county, or town may permit the licensing of premises within 1,000 feet but not less than 100 feet of the facilities described in (a) of this subsection, except elementary schools, secondary schools, and playgrounds, by enacting an ordinance authorizing such distance reduction, provided that such distance reduction will not negatively impact the jurisdiction's civil regulatory enforcement, criminal law enforcement interests, public safety, or public health.
(c) A city, county, or town may permit the licensing of research premises allowed under RCW 69.50.372 within 1,000 feet but not less than 100 feet of the facilities described in (a) of this subsection by enacting an ordinance authorizing such distance reduction, provided that the ordinance will not negatively impact the jurisdiction's civil regulatory enforcement, criminal law enforcement, public safety, or public health.
(d) The board may license premises located in compliance with the distance requirements set in an ordinance adopted under (b) or (c) of this subsection. Before issuing or renewing a research license for premises within 1,000 feet but not less than 100 feet of an elementary school, secondary school, or playground in compliance with an ordinance passed pursuant to (c) of this subsection, the board must ensure that the facility:
(i) Meets a security standard exceeding that which applies to cannabis producer, processor, or retailer licensees;
(ii) Is inaccessible to the public and no part of the operation of the facility is in view of the general public; and
(iii) Bears no advertising or signage indicating that it is a cannabis research facility.
(9) A city, town, or county may adopt an ordinance prohibiting a cannabis producer or cannabis processor from operating or locating a business within areas zoned primarily for residential use or rural use with a minimum lot size of five acres or smaller.
Full Breakdown
RCW 69.50.331 and WAC 314-55-050 set a 1000 foot buffer between cannabis licensees and sensitive uses, measured by the most direct route. Cities and counties may reduce the buffer to 100 feet for parks, transit centers, libraries, and arcades, but the 1000 foot rule for elementary and secondary schools and playgrounds remains mandatory. King County retained the full buffer in unincorporated areas. Several cities including Seattle reduced buffers near transit and libraries to expand legal retail sites. Producer-processor sites use the same measurements.
Violations & Fines
Operating inside the buffer leads to license denial, revocation by the WSLCB, and county code enforcement actions that can shut down the business and impose daily civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the distance measured?
Can the buffer be reduced for transit centers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington cannabis regulations overview
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