Yakima, WA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 1,000 feet from listed uses
- Residential zones
- prohibited outright
- Retailers per parcel
- one maximum
- Measured from
- property line to property line
Summary
Yakima bars marijuana retailers from residential zones and requires a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, parks, playgrounds, libraries, child care centers and other listed uses.
A marijuana producer, retailer, researcher or processor shall not be located within one thousand feet of the perimeter of the grounds of the following uses, and any use included in Chapter 314-55 WAC now or as hereafter amended:
a. Elementary or secondary school;
b. Playgrounds;
c. Recreation center or facility;
d. Child care centers;
e. Public parks;
f. Public transit centers;
g. Libraries; and
h. Any game arcade, as defined herein.
2. No marijuana producer, processor, researcher or retailer shall be allowed to locate within any residential zone of the city of Yakima.
3. All separation requirements shall be measured as the shortest straight line distance from the property line of the proposed building/business location of a marijuana producer, marijuana processor, marijuana researcher or marijuana retailer to the property line of the entities listed in subsection (D)(1) of this section.
E. Structure Requirements.
1. All marijuana processors, marijuana producers, marijuana researchers and marijuana retailers shall operate in a permanent structure designed to comply with the city building code.
2. No marijuana retailer shall operate out of a mobile structure, nor shall there be any exterior or drive-through sales.
3.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Yakima Municipal Code § 15.09.220, marijuana producers, processors, researchers and retailers may locate only in zones listed in the city's Table of Permitted Land Uses (YMC § 15.04.030) and are barred outright from any residential zone. Retailers, producers, processors and researchers must sit at least 1,000 feet from the property line of any elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade, measured as the shortest straight-line distance between property lines. Retailers must operate from a permanent structure with no drive-through or exterior sales, and no more than one retailer may operate per parcel.
Violations & Fines
Locating within the 1,000-foot buffer or a residential zone blocks or revokes the required city business license; odor escaping the premises can trigger a business-license suspension until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a marijuana retailer open in a Yakima residential zone?
How is the 1,000-foot buffer measured in Yakima?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
Compare Yakima to another location·View the Washington cannabis regulations overview
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