December 5, 2013

Skagit County Planning Department Releases Guidance for Initiative 502 Recreational Marijuana Permitting

Skagit County today released guidance for businesses seeking to apply for permits under the state recreational marijuana law. The memo proposes no new regulations; it instead simply informs applicants of how their proposals might fit into the County’s existing land use code.

The state Liquor Control Board is currently accepting applications for three types of facilities regulated by I-502: retail, processing, and production facilities. State law and Liquor Control Board rules imposes significant regulations on where these facilities can locate, including a 1000-foot setback from schools, playgrounds, and parks, and libraries; as well as requirements for fencing, security, and licensing, all of which are to be enforced by the Liquor Control Board.

The County memo explains that I-502 retail outlets will be allowed in commercial zones and I-502 processing facilities will be allowed in industrial areas. Outdoor production is allowed in agricultural zones, but production inside a building other than a greenhouse is not permitted in agricultural or rural zones and may only take place in industrial zones.

Dale Pernula, director of Skagit County’s Planning & Development Services Department, said the memo was intended to answer many of the questions that the Department has received from potential applicants. “We want to be proactive in allowing these facilities where it’s consistent with our land use policies,” he said.

The memo is available at www.skagitcounty.net/planning. For more information, contact Director Dale Pernula at 336-9410.