On Wednesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law a bill aimed at protecting access to groceries and pharmacies by preventing property restrictions that block new stores from opening in neighborhoods after a grocery store or pharmacy closes. House Bill 2294, sponsored by Rep. Darya Farivar (D-Lake City), prohibits negative use restrictions on property that prevent or limit the use of real estate for a grocery store or pharmacy.
Under current law, private parties can create contracts, leases, deed restrictions, or restrictive covenants that prohibit the use of property for a specific purpose. Seattle, Kent, and Bellingham are among the jurisdictions that currently allow these types of restrictions.
Supporters say the law is intended to help communities maintain access to food and medicine as store closures increasingly leave some neighborhoods without nearby grocery stores or pharmacies. While the bill cannot prevent stores or pharmacies from closing, it prevents restrictive covenants that block another grocery store or pharmacy from opening in the same location after a closure…