Seattle just took one more step towards becoming an ultra-walkable city. A small corner shop, market, or café could soon open in your neighborhood. The city has officially lifted long-standing zoning restrictions that largely prohibited new businesses from operating in residential neighborhoods.
Read on for all the answers to your questions!
When did the zoning rules change?
Seattle’s updated zoning regulations went into effect on January 21, following approval by the City Council in December. The new policy permits certain types of ground-floor retail establishments to operate on residential blocks citywide.
What types of businesses are allowed?
There are limits. Stores must be no larger than 2,500 square feet, focus on specific retail or food-related uses, and close overnight between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Are there existing examples?
A handful of businesses already operate in residential areas, mostly grandfathered in under older policies. Some popular examples include Volunteer Park Cafe in Capitol Hill, Irwin’s Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe in Wallingford, and Seven Market & Cafe in Ravenna. All three are bustling neighborhood hubs that regularly draw a crowd, not just from the immediate area but from all over Seattle (we definitely make the drive to Capitol Hill for the breakfast sandwich at Volunteer Park Cafe—but it would be nice to walk five minutes for one instead!).
Why does this matter?
City leaders say the goal is to create walkable neighborhoods where people can shop, dine, and get groceries without driving—a strategy that also helps support small local retailers, Seattle City Council president Joy Hollingsworth told Axios. These types of businesses “create that sense of community within a neighborhood,” said Hollingsworth, who sponsored the ordinance updating the zoning rules. Corner markets can also help ensure people have easy access to groceries and other staples, she added, pointing to recent closures of major grocery stores like Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh in various Seattle neighborhoods.
When will new businesses open?
It’s unclear. The rule change is recent, and the city’s permit data isn’t tracked in a way that would make it easy to find out if anyone has yet applied to open a business under the new zoning rules. Someone could already be working on opening one in your neighborhood, so keep your eyes out and follow us for updates.
Will this spread statewide?
Possibly. A bill in the Washington Legislature would require cities across the state to allow similar neighborhood businesses. It has passed the House and now awaits Senate consideration.