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Pierce County, WA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Retail zones
MUD, UCOR, and RAC (Key/Gig Harbor Peninsula)
Retail permit type
Conditional Use Permit required
Retail sales hours
8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Processor zones
EC, CE, MUD (Conditional Use Permit)
Producer cap
10,000 sq ft, indoor/greenhouse only

Summary

Pierce County has not opted out of state-licensed marijuana retail. Retail outlets are allowed, but only through a Conditional Use Permit and only in Mixed Use District, Urban Corridor, or Rural Activity Center zones in the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor Peninsula plan areas, with sales capped to the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight.

City-specific rules exist: Tacoma, and Lakewood have their own dispensary zoning rules that differ from Pierce County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Marijuana-licensed retail outlets shall be permitted through a Conditional Use Permit in Mixed Use District (MUD) and Urban Corridor (UCOR) zone classifications as well as the Rural Activity Center (RAC) classifications in the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor Peninsula Community plan areas. A marijuana retailer licensee may sell usable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana paraphernalia between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 a.m.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).

Full Breakdown

D confines marijuana-licensed retail outlets to a Conditional Use Permit process, and only within three zone classifications: Mixed Use District (MUD), Urban Corridor (UCOR), and, in the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor Peninsula Community plan areas specifically, the Rural Activity Center (RAC) classification. B. 2. E permits marijuana-licensed processors through a Conditional Use Permit only in Employment Center (EC), Community Employment (CE), and Mixed Use District (MUD) zones. F, limited to Employment Center and Community Employment zones, capped at 10,000 square feet of production space, and required to operate inside a fully enclosed secure indoor facility or greenhouse. C, and a Minors Restricted sign must be posted at every marijuana-licensed premises.

Violations & Fines

Operating a marijuana retail, processing, or production business outside its allowed zone classification, or without the required Conditional Use Permit, is a violation of PCC 18A.12.020 and is declared a public nuisance per se under PCC 18A.12.020.G, exposing the operator to county nuisance abatement in addition to any state licensing consequences from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Pierce County banned marijuana retail stores?
No. Pierce County Code Chapter 18A.12 allows state-licensed marijuana retail outlets, but only through a Conditional Use Permit in Mixed Use District, Urban Corridor, or, on the Key and Gig Harbor Peninsulas, Rural Activity Center zones, per PCC 18A.12.020.D.
What zones allow a marijuana processing or production facility in unincorporated Pierce County?
Processors need a Conditional Use Permit in Employment Center, Community Employment, or Mixed Use District zones under PCC 18A.12.020.E. Producers are limited to Employment Center and Community Employment zones and a 10,000-square-foot indoor cap under PCC 18A.12.020.F.
What hours can a licensed marijuana retailer sell in Pierce County?
PCC 18A.12.020.D.2 limits sales of usable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and paraphernalia to between 8 a.m. and 12 a.m., matching the outlet's Conditional Use Permit zoning approval.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pierce County

All Pierce County rules

Compare Pierce County to another location·View the Washington cannabis regulations overview

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