On October 14, 2014, the Whatcom County Council will be holding a public hearing on whether to extend its Interim Marijuana Ordinance. Planning Staff has requested extension of the Interim Ordinance while they continue to work through existing land use and building permit applications for recreational marijuana facilities.
The current Interim Ordinance requires that producer/processor facilities be setback 300 feet from existing residences as well as not located within1000 feet of “community centers” (i.e. churches, youth facilities, etc.)
Additionally, anyone seeking a waiver of the 300 foot setback rule and/or any processors located in a rural area are required to obtain an administrative approval permit. Administrative approval is an added layer of discretionary review that requires notice to all property owners within 1000 feet of the proposed facility.
The Interim Marijuana Ordinance can be found here.
For more information on the regulation of recreational marijuana businesses in Whatcom County and elsewhere in Washington State, please contact Heather Wolf.