The following page provides information on the available cannabis license allotments by county to applicants of the 2023 Social Equity Program. This information is no longer current and is for reference only.
The LCB changed its rules to allow social equity applicants more flexibility to find a viable location. However, please note that there are cities and counties that have bans, moratoria, and other permitting or zoning restrictions that prohibit or restrict where a retailer can operate. This page offers more information about specific restrictions and bans by county and city, but it is highly recommended that you check with the city or county for local restrictions.
You can view an interactive map on cannabis zoning by city and county in Washington State here.
Open Allotments
There are currently 46 open allotments available for Social Equity licenses. The map below details the amount of open allotments by county.
Notice to Local Government Authorities
The LCB sends a notice to cities and counties, tribal governments, and port authorities when there are new cannabis applications within their jurisdiction.
The local jurisdiction has 20 days to respond to the notice with an approval, objection or no response.
The LCB may issue a license over the objection of the local authority. However, having an LCB-issued license does not mean you will be allowed to operate your business in that area. The local government may prohibit or restrict cannabis businesses within their boundaries. It is important that you verify local level requirements, and consider them when searching for a location. Some of the most common considerations include:
- Business licensing
- Zoning and land use
- Permits
- Local ordinances
Cannabis Zoning by County
Seven counties in the state with open allotments have bans on retail cannabis licenses. There are currently six allotments that are in highly restrictive areas that may be unlikely to open due to bans of cannabis retail licenses in cities within the county, or the small size of the city will make it very difficult to find a viable location. The map below shows all Washington state's counties current allowance for cannabis businesses.
This data and terminology is provided by the Municipal Research and Services Center (MSRC).
Counties with Open Allotments
You can find each county with open allotments available for Social Equity licenses below with links to their zoning ordinances, if available. For further details on specifics by Washington state county and city, please visit this interactive map.
Jump to County:
- Adams
- Clark
- Cowlitz
- Douglas
- Ferry
- Franklin
- Garfield
- Grant
- Jefferson
- King
- Klickitat
- Lewis
- Pend Oreille
- San Juan
- Skagit
- Skamania
- Snohomish
- Thurston
- Walla Walla
- Whatcom
- Yakima
Adams County
There is currently one open allotment in Adams County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Adams County. For details on operating in cities within Adams County, please visit the interactive map here.
Clark County
There are currently three open allotments in Clark County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate in unincorporated Clark County. To read the full Clark County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Clark County, please visit the interactive map here.
Cowlitz County
There is currently one open allotment in Cowlitz County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate in unincorporated Cowlitz County. For details on operating in cities within Clark County, please visit the interactive map here.
Douglas County
There is currently one open allotment in Douglas County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Douglas County. To read the full Douglas County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Douglas County, please visit the interactive map here.
Ferry County
There is currently one open allotment in Ferry County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Ferry County. For details on operating in cities within Ferry County, please visit the interactive map here.
Franklin County
There is currently one open allotment in Franklin County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Franklin County. To read the full Franklin County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Franklin County, please visit the interactive map here.
Garfield County
There is currently one open allotment in Garfield County.
The moratorium expired in August 2015 and no further action has been taken by the county. For details on operating in cities within Garfield County, please visit the interactive map here.
Grant County
There is currently one open allotment in Grant County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Grant County. To read the full Grant County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Grant County, please visit the interactive map here.
Jefferson County
There is currently one open allotment in Jefferson County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Jefferson County. To read the full Jefferson County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Jefferson County, please visit the interactive map here.
King County
There are currently eight open allotments in King County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated King County. To read the full King County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within King County, please visit the interactive map here.
Klickitat County
There are currently four open allotments within Klickitat County.
There is a permanent ban within unincorporated Klickitat County prohibiting cannabis business operations. To read the full Klickitat County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Klickitat County, please visit the interactive map here.
Lewis County
There is currently one open allotment within Lewis County.
There is a permanent ban within unincorporated Lewis County prohibiting cannabis business operations. They will only issue a business license if the business provides proof of registration approval from the US Attorney General or DEA. To read the full Lewis County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Lewis County, please visit the interactive map here.
Pend Oreille County
There is currently one open allotment within Pend Oreille County.
There is a permanent ban within unincorporated Pend Oreille County prohibiting retail cannabis business operations. To read the full Pend Oreille County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Pend Oreille County, please visit the interactive map here.
Pierce County
There is currently one open allotment in Pierce County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Pierce County. To read the full Pierce County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Pierce County, please visit the interactive map here.
San Juan County
There are currently two open allotments in San Juan County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate in unincorporated San Juan County. To read the full San Juan County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within San Juan County, please visit the interactive map here.
Skagit County
There is currently one open allotments in Skagit County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate in unincorporated Skagit County. For details on operating in cities within Skagit County, please visit the interactive map here.
Skamania County
There are currently two open allotment in Skamania County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate in unincorporated Skamania County. To read the full Skamania County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Skamania County, please visit the interactive map here.
Snohomish County
There are currently seven open allotments in Snohomish County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Snohomish County. To read the full Snohomish County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Snohomish County, please visit the interactive map here.
Thurston County
There is currently one open allotment in Thurston County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Thurston County. To read the full Thurston County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Thurston County, please visit the interactive map here.
Walla Walla County
There are currently two open allotments in Walla Walla County.
Walla Walla county prohibits cannabis business operations. To read the full Walla Walla County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Walla Walla County, please visit the interactive map here.
Whatcom County
There are currently four open allotments in Whatcom County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Whatcom County. To read the full Whatcom County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Whatcom County, please visit the interactive map here.
Yakima County
There are currently two open allotments in Yakima County.
Cannabis businesses are allowed to operate under existing zoning in unincorporated Yakima County. To read the full Yakima County zoning ordinance, click here. For details on operating in cities within Yakima County, please visit the interactive map here.
