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Apr
01

Proposed Ordinance: 2024-0387

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METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Proposed Ordinance 2024-0387

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Metropolitan King County Council to consider adoption of a Proposed Ordinance relating to development regulations for wineries, breweries, distilleries, and remote tasting rooms for unincorporated King County. 

Hearing Date: April 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM

Location: King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Room 1001, Seattle, WA

Written public testimony will be accepted from 9:00 AM on March 13, 2025 through 9:00 AM on April 15, 2025, by sending public testimony to clerk.council@kingcounty.gov. Please include the legislation number and related agenda item in the subject line.

In-person and remote testimony will be accepted at the April 15, 2025 hearing.  Information on the public hearing and how to submit public testimony can be found at this website:  https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/council/governance-leadership/county-council/committees/county-council-meetings.

It is expected that the Council will take action on the Proposed Ordinance at the April 15, 2025 meeting.

 

SUMMARY

Proposed Ordinance 2024-0387 would make the following changes to the winery, brewery, distillery (WBD) and remote tasting room regulations:

  • Repealing the requirement for an adult beverage business license.
  • Modifying the definition of winery, brewery, and distillery to match those in state law.
  • Prohibiting WBDs in the Agriculture (A) and Rural Area (RA) zones.
  • Maintaining allowances for:
    • Remote tasting room in the Community Business (CB) and Regional Business (RB) zone.
    • WBDs in the Neighborhood Business (NB), CB, RB, and Industrial (I) zones
  • Prohibiting WBDs and remote tasting rooms as home occupations and home industries.
  • Modifying Temporary Use Permit (TUP) allowances by:
    • Removing the triggers for when an event at a WBD or remote tasting rooms require a TUP;
    • Removing an exemption from TUP requirements for certain WBDs in the RA zone; and
    • Removing duration, frequency, and maximum attendee requirements for WBD uses in the A and RA zones. Returns to prior condition for temporary uses at wineries in the A and RA zone, limiting them to two per month and requiring all parking to be accommodated on-site.
  • Repealing remote tasting room demonstration project, removes the zoning condition from impacted parcels, and removes a reference in the Retail Land Uses permitted use table.
  • Repealing the efficacy report required by Ordinance 19030.
  • Adding an effective date that is 61 days after notice of adoption, or 31 days after the final decision is issued by the Board, if an appeal if filed.

     

  • FINAL CONSIDERATIONIn addition to the proposed amendments contained in Proposed Ordinance 2024-0387, Councilmembers may offer additional amendments for consideration by the Council.  As a result, persons interested in any of the issues raised in the Proposed Ordinance should make their views known at the public hearing on April 15, 2025.  Amendments that may be considered for adoption by the Council include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Any amendment offered, or relating to topics discussed, during the review of the legislation in committee.
  • Any matter preserved for consideration by the Council by a member during previous committee meetings.
  • Amendments that respond to public comment or public testimony received.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Proposed Ordinance 2025-0387 is available on the County’s website at:

 

DATED at Seattle, Washington this 13th day of March, 2025.

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Melani Pedroza

Clerk of the Council

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