Use the GeoData Tool to Find Zoning for a Land Parcel

To determine zoning for land parcels in Tumwater go to Thurston GeoData and click “Parcel Search”. When typing in an address, only include the street name. For example, when looking up City Hall, type “555” in the Street Number, but just “Israel” under Street Name, NOT “Israel Road” or “Israel Rd.”

Download a Map

Download a high-resolution zoning map (25 MB) of Tumwater and the Urban Growth Area (UGA). The map is scaled to 34" x 44", but can be printed in smaller formats.

Detailed maps of City zoning in the northern half of City (12 MB) and the southern half of City (12 MB) are also available in 17" x 22" scale. If you are unsure which section your parcel is in, you can use the GeoData Tool mentioned above.

Purchase a Map

Zoning maps are available for purchase at the Tumwater Community Development Department at Tumwater City Hall. Large color maps (34”x44”) are $11 and small color maps (24”x36”) are $6. Call our staff for more information at (360) 754-4180.

Conditional Use

Conditional uses are uses of property allowed for individual locations in a zoning district (with specific development conditions), upon approval by the Tumwater Hearing Examiner. Certain uses, either due to special requirements or unusual characteristics related to the subject property, or due to possible detrimental effects on the surrounding properties, may be permitted. These uses require a special degree of control to make such uses consistent with and compatible to other existing or permissible uses in the same zone or zones. 

Contact staff to discuss your options as well as the costs and likelihood of approval before submitting a conditional use permit application. Call (360) 754-4180.

Resources

Conditional Use Application    

Conditional Use Submittal Checklist  

TMC 18.56 

Variance

A variance may be applied for when a property owner cannot follow the zoning regulations of a specific piece of property because of its unusual nature, shape, exceptional topographic conditions, or extraordinary conditions connected with the property. The Tumwater Hearing Examiner will evaluate the request based on the criteria in TMC 18.58.

Resources

Variance Application 

Variance Submittal Checklist 

TMC 18.58

Outdoor Lighting

In 2009, the Tumwater City Council approved new regulations for outdoor lighting to address concerns of light pollution. See Report to City Council (4 MB) for details. 

The basic concept of Tumwater's Outdoor Lighting Standards is to "keep it on your own property." Most lights must be fully shielded and not result in light shining on other properties, in the sky, on the roads, or anywhere else off of your own property. There is, however, a list of exceptions. These can be found in TMC 18.40.035.

Examples of acceptable and unacceptable outdoor lighting fixtures (1 MB)

Basic Lighting Plan example (required for installation of any outdoor lighting fixture)  (<1 MB)

Production, Processing, and Retail

Initiative 502

In 2012, Washington State passed Initiative 502 legalizing the production, processing, retail, possession, and consumption of marijuana with the following stipulations.

Individual Possession and Consumption

Persons aged 21 or older are legally allowed to possess and use the following:

• 1 ounce of usable marijuana
• 7 grams of marijuana concentrate/extract for inhalation
• 16 ounces of marijuana infused product
• 72 ounces of marijuana infused product in liquid form
• Marijuana-related paraphernalia

Consumption while in view of the general public is illegal.

Driving with a level higher than 5 nanograms of marijuana per milliliter of blood is considered driving under the influence (DUI) and is punishable by law.

It is illegal to transport marijuana purchased in Washington into other states.

Home grown marijuana for recreational use or sale is still illegal.

Business Licenses

There are three different marijuana business licenses that can be applied for with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Marijuana Producers

• Producers grown marijuana in either indoor/greenhouse or outdoor facilities. Outdoor facilities must be fully enclosed by a physical barrier at least eight feet high to obscure public view of the premises. Outdoor facilities must also meet security requirements as described in WAC 314-55-083 and TMC 8.04.040.M.
• There can be up to one and quarter years’ worth of harvest for an outdoor facility and six months’ worth of harvest for an indoor facility on the premises.
• Producers must hold their product for a mandatory 24 hour quarantine period before transporting it to a processor.

Marijuana Processors

• Processors process, package, and label usable marijuana and marijuana infused products for wholesale to marijuana retailers.
• Marijuana products may not be packaged or labeled in a manner that makes them appealing to children and must be in child resistant packaging.
• There can be up to six months’ worth of usable marijuana and total production.

Marijuana Retailers

• Retailers sell marijuana, marijuana infused products, and marijuana paraphernalia.
• Retailers cannot sell over the internet, have a delivery service, or a food truck selling marijuana infused dishes.
• Marijuana retailers can only sell marijuana products and cannot be incorporated into existing businesses.
• No one under the age of 21 can enter or be employed by a marijuana retailer.
• All packages of marijuana on the premises must be closed with the exception of a sample jar with a plastic or metal mesh to allow customers to smell the product before purchasing.
• Customers cannot consume product in store.
• There can be up to four months’ worth of average inventory on the premises.

The only licenses that can be mixed are the producer and processor licenses, though they must be applied for separately. Retail must be a separate business.

Taxes on marijuana are state controlled.

Locations

Marijuana businesses cannot be within 1,000 feet of any elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade that allows minors to enter. Local authorities will also be notified and have an opportunity to object.

Businesses in these zones must comply with all building, fire safety, health code, business licensing requirements, and any zone specific standards for lot size, setbacks, and lot coverage, as well as signage guidelines as stated in Initiative 502 and Chapter 18.44 of the Tumwater Municipal Code.

Business must also comply with Section 8.04.040.M of the Tumwater Municipal Code by controlling any offensive odors from becoming a nuisance to the public.

Sections 18.21.030 and 18.42.080 state that processors and producers are allowed in the Light Industrial and Airport Related Industry zones. Retailers are allowed in the same zones as processors and producers as well as the Capitol Boulevard Community and General Commercial zones. 

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Contact Us

For zoning or municipal code questions, contact the Community Development Department at (360) 754-4180.

For regulatory or licensing questions, check with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.