Federal Way, WA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Federal Way took a strongly restrictive approach to commercial cannabis after the passage of Initiative 502. The city first adopted a moratorium in 2011 on medical marijuana dispensaries, extended and reinstated it in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and in December 2015 the City Council voted to permanently prohibit cannabis retail, production, and processing businesses within city limits following an advisory vote. The ban is codified in Federal Way Revised Code 19.280.010 and related Title 19 zoning provisions, which state that marijuana (cannabis) producers, processors, and retailers are not permitted in any zone within Federal Way. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board allotted a handful of retail licenses to Federal Way, but the city has maintained its ban and no licensed dispensaries operate within the city limits. State law requires a 1,000-foot buffer between any cannabis retailer and schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care centers, public parks, public transit centers, libraries, and arcades under RCW 69.50.331, which further constrains siting if the ban were ever lifted. Medical cannabis patients and adult recreational users in Federal Way must shop at licensed retailers in neighboring jurisdictions such as Tacoma, Fife, Lakewood, and unincorporated King County areas that permit retail. Delivery of cannabis products is not currently authorized in Washington except for limited medical patient delivery. Contact Federal Way Community Development at 253-835-2607 for current zoning status.