Neighborhood Retail

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Volunteer Park Cafe and Pantry

The City of Renton is exploring opportunities to introduce small-scale commercial and retail uses into residential neighborhoods. This could mean potentially seeing small eateries, coffee shops, or even a neighborhood market in your community. The approach may take various forms and lead to differing outcomes, which is why we're reaching out to community stakeholders for feedback. Your input will help guide how these changes take shape across the city.

This initiative is rooted in public feedback gathered through the city's comprehensive plan survey, community conversations, and years of Planning Commission discussion. It also supports the vision and goals of several other citywide initiatives focused on creating a safe, healthy, and vibrant community, promoting economic vitality, and advancing environmental sustainability.

City staff will use community input to craft policy recommendations for Planning Commission review. Topics anticipated for discussion include permissible location for neighborhood retail, allowed uses (e.g., eateries, bike shops, coffee shops, neighborhood market, etc.), hours of operation, signage and advertising, parking standards, conversion of existing buildings, storage and screening, lighting, and collection points for waste, recyclables, and compostables. Is there anything else you would like to be considered? Send suggestions to kbuchl-morales@rentonwa.gov.

Anticipated Benefits to Neighborhood Scale Retail

  • Convenience & Accessibility – Provides easier access to goods, services, and other destinations within walking distance
  • Community Building – Creates third spaces for gathering and social interaction
  • Economic Vitality – Supports local business growth and entrepreneurship
  • Health & Sustainability – Encourages all forms of mobility as an alternative to driving, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions

Statewide Legislative Updates

The Washington State Legislature has been actively exploring legislation to reduce barriers to neighborhood retail. Two bills, HB 2252 and HB 1175, would have required cities to allow neighborhood stores and cafes in any zone allowing residential uses. However, both bills failed to advance due to concerns from local governments regarding zoning preemption, parking requirements, and other operational challenges.

From the 2025-26 legislative cycle, HB 1175 proposed the following:

  • Cities must allow neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes to be permitted in any zone allowing residential uses provided that a café must offer food if alcoholic drinks are offered.
  • Cities may regulate parking provided that the regulations are not infeasible.
  • Hours of operation may be limited by the city provided that neighborhood cafes are permitted to operate for at least 12 consecutive hours.
  • Cities may establish additional regulations as necessary, including maximum square footage requirements.
  • “Neighborhood café” refers to an establishment that serves a limited menu of food items and has at least 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
  • “Neighborhood store” means a convenience grocery store or mini market that provides a variety of convenience items that may include, but are not limited to, food, beverages, and household items. A neighborhood store must be at least 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area.

In addition to the state’s efforts, several municipalities have amended or are considering updates to local development regulations to help incentivize neighborhood retail, including Anacortes, Redmond, Spokane, and Seattle.

Next Steps

Over the coming weeks, City staff will be reviewing what neighboring cities are doing about neighborhood scale retail, including location and use permissibility, design, and whether onsite housing should be required. We're also planning a variety of opportunities for public information and feedback, including this project webpage, surveys, and attending community events. Stay tuned for project milestones, draft proposals, and announcements for when this topic will be presented to Planning Commission for review.

Online Resources/ More Information

We've compiled several links with more information on this topic -

The City of Renton is exploring opportunities to introduce small-scale commercial and retail uses into residential neighborhoods. This could mean potentially seeing small eateries, coffee shops, or even a neighborhood market in your community. The approach may take various forms and lead to differing outcomes, which is why we're reaching out to community stakeholders for feedback. Your input will help guide how these changes take shape across the city.

This initiative is rooted in public feedback gathered through the city's comprehensive plan survey, community conversations, and years of Planning Commission discussion. It also supports the vision and goals of several other citywide initiatives focused on creating a safe, healthy, and vibrant community, promoting economic vitality, and advancing environmental sustainability.

City staff will use community input to craft policy recommendations for Planning Commission review. Topics anticipated for discussion include permissible location for neighborhood retail, allowed uses (e.g., eateries, bike shops, coffee shops, neighborhood market, etc.), hours of operation, signage and advertising, parking standards, conversion of existing buildings, storage and screening, lighting, and collection points for waste, recyclables, and compostables. Is there anything else you would like to be considered? Send suggestions to kbuchl-morales@rentonwa.gov.

Anticipated Benefits to Neighborhood Scale Retail

  • Convenience & Accessibility – Provides easier access to goods, services, and other destinations within walking distance
  • Community Building – Creates third spaces for gathering and social interaction
  • Economic Vitality – Supports local business growth and entrepreneurship
  • Health & Sustainability – Encourages all forms of mobility as an alternative to driving, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions

Statewide Legislative Updates

The Washington State Legislature has been actively exploring legislation to reduce barriers to neighborhood retail. Two bills, HB 2252 and HB 1175, would have required cities to allow neighborhood stores and cafes in any zone allowing residential uses. However, both bills failed to advance due to concerns from local governments regarding zoning preemption, parking requirements, and other operational challenges.

From the 2025-26 legislative cycle, HB 1175 proposed the following:

  • Cities must allow neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes to be permitted in any zone allowing residential uses provided that a café must offer food if alcoholic drinks are offered.
  • Cities may regulate parking provided that the regulations are not infeasible.
  • Hours of operation may be limited by the city provided that neighborhood cafes are permitted to operate for at least 12 consecutive hours.
  • Cities may establish additional regulations as necessary, including maximum square footage requirements.
  • “Neighborhood café” refers to an establishment that serves a limited menu of food items and has at least 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
  • “Neighborhood store” means a convenience grocery store or mini market that provides a variety of convenience items that may include, but are not limited to, food, beverages, and household items. A neighborhood store must be at least 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area.

In addition to the state’s efforts, several municipalities have amended or are considering updates to local development regulations to help incentivize neighborhood retail, including Anacortes, Redmond, Spokane, and Seattle.

Next Steps

Over the coming weeks, City staff will be reviewing what neighboring cities are doing about neighborhood scale retail, including location and use permissibility, design, and whether onsite housing should be required. We're also planning a variety of opportunities for public information and feedback, including this project webpage, surveys, and attending community events. Stay tuned for project milestones, draft proposals, and announcements for when this topic will be presented to Planning Commission for review.

Online Resources/ More Information

We've compiled several links with more information on this topic -

  • Three Question Survey: Neighborhood Scale Retail

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Page last updated: 08 Aug 2025, 12:31 PM