Summary

The King County Council on Wednesday approved legislation that redefines the rules around wineries, distilleries and breweries in unincorporated King County.

Story

The King County Council on Wednesday approved legislation that redefines the rules around wineries, distilleries and breweries in unincorporated King County. The updated code provides clear rules around the size and scale of wineries, distilleries and breweries in the rural and agricultural areas of King County, including limits on parking, hours, access and other factors.

The County began working on this code update in response to requests from community members and businesses who highlighted that the code, which was adopted in 2003, failed to regulate the industry that has grown up in King County in the last 15 years. The code contained many ambiguities that made it hard for businesses to follow and for King County to enforce. Community members raised concerns that enforcement had failed to regulate businesses they believed were in violation of the code. The result was an ongoing stream of conflict, particularly in the Sammamish Valley. 

The ordinance passed addresses those issues. It does not allow bars or remote tasting rooms to proliferate. In the rural areas, these businesses will have to produce onsite the beverages they sell. In the agricultural zone, they will have to grow what they sell, thus tying the business to the land in ways the current code does not. 

“The code the King County Council adopted today provides clear and measurable rules for businesses to follow and for the County to enforce. It strikes a balance that will enable wineries, breweries and distilleries to operate in rural and agricultural King County, but at a size and scale that protects our agricultural lands and preserves the rural character of eastern King County and Vashon. While this has been a highly contentious issue, I believe we have found a good balance that will enable us to successfully regulate the industry and preserve the heritage of our rural and agricultural areas going forward.”