Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Local Government Committee
HB 2252
Brief Description: Allowing small business establishments in residential zones.
Sponsors: Representatives Klicker, Leavitt, Sandlin, Reed, Fosse, Graham and Taylor.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires cities and towns to allow neighborhood cafes that meet certain requirements to be permitted in residential zones.
Hearing Date: 1/23/24
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

Local governments divide land within their jurisdictions into regulated zones that designate land into different uses and purposes.  These include residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Each local government adopts a zoning map which provides visualization of various zones throughout the jurisdiction.


Residential zones include land that is permitted for residential use.  Residential zones may allow single-family residences and multi-family residences.
Summary of Bill:

A city or town must allow neighborhood cafes to be permitted in any zone allowing residential uses, provided the following conditions are met:

  • The total gross floor area of the cafe must be 2,000 square feet or less.
  • Outdoor seating may not take up more than 30 percent of the gross floor area of the cafe.
  • There are no drive-through facilities.
  • If alcoholic beverages are offered, food must also be offered.
  • The cafe?s hours of operation are between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

 

A neighborhood cafe is an establishment that serves a limited menu of food items and does not contain more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.