A recent closure of a grocery store in one city left a void in the community and highlighted legal barriers that legislators aimed to address with a couple of proposals this session. HB 2294, sponsored by Rep. Darya Farivar (D–Seattle), was one such proposal that is now law.

The session law addresses a practice called “negative use restrictions” where private parties—say a commercial property owner and a grocery store chain—agree to prohibit another grocery store from moving in when that business leaves or from locating nearby. Several jurisdictions in Washington have ordinances prohibiting negative use restrictions that have the effect of limiting property use for grocery stores, drug stores, or pharmacies in certain circumstances. Subject to several exceptions, HB 2294 now makes that state law and includes enforcement authority for cities.