Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Olympia is seeking input from the public to help craft code amendments for a limited range of small scale commercial uses in residential neighborhoods.
The amendments are part of the City of Olympia’s Community Development Department Work Plan for 2026.
The goal is to support small businesses that provide convenient goods and services to nearby residents.
The businesses would be allowed through a conditional use permit. The conditional use permit would control the types of businesses allowed, as well as size, scale and design requirements in order to reduce potential impacts on surrounding homes and properties.
An online questionnaire asks community members to consider questions, such as what types of businesses should be permitted, how large those businesses should be, and what standards should be required to minimize impacts on nearby properties.
Washington lawmakers have also considered similar approaches to allowing small-scale businesses in residential neighborhoods. Two recently proposed pieces of state legislation eyed similar changes, but neither passed muster.
City staff are going to use survey responses, along with written comments submitted by residents, to develop a first draft of the proposed amendments. That draft will then be made available to the public for review before it gets presented to the Olympia Planning Commission.
Residents can participate through the online questionnaire available on the Engage Olympia website. The survey closes on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Residents who prefer to submit written comments, rather than complete the questionnaire, can contact City of Olympia Senior Planner David Ginther at dginther@ci.olympia.wa.us.
Residents may also request to be added to the parties of record email list by contacting Ginther.
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KarenM
The work on small commercial in residential neighborhoods should be meshed with the home occupation ordinance. One can already have a home business such as a styling salon or barber shop. Some of the restrictions in that ordinance are likely to also apply to small commercial businesses. Those include hours of operation, type of signs, etc.
I don't understand how a business can prove that they only serve people who live nearby. And, I wonder how any business could thrive or survive by simply serving a small segment of their market. A bakery or coffee shop or small grocery is going to need stop-by customers to survive. That means parking and traffic issues.
Meanwhile, the city continues to want to support a thriving downtown, so why invite businesses to locate elsewhere?
Tuesday, September 8 Report this
TheVirtualOne
I have an idea. How about government just butting out. They are only going to make things worse by imposing yet another tax, fee, or regulation on people who are already paying more than their fair share of taxes via B&O, sales, and property taxes. Washington has become the worst place to own a business in the country.
Wednesday, September 9 Report this
KarenM
Are we okay with having the government 'butt out' in the case of some type of zoning restriction? I would not want a neighbor to start a motorcycle repair shop next to me and run it 24 hours a day. A drive through coffee shop could be a problem in an area that is not built for heavy traffic. Some limits are in order.
Wednesday, September 9 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Visit Houston. No zoning laws. No problems.
Wednesday, September 9 Report this
PhyllisBooth
Our government in Olympia continues to find ways to further destroy the peace in its neighborhoods while downtown Olympia and other Olympia areas have empty commercial buildings for decades. We don't need more traffic in our neighborhoods. We don't need this proposal.
Stop so many tax exemptions locally. Lower the business and occupation taxes and other oppression on small businesses. We need revenue spent practically and wisely. This way builds sustainable cities.
Honestly, come up with more reasonable ideas.
Thursday, September 10 Report this
MJGord
Yes, Im with you Phyllis.
and the Virtual,,,
how do you know Houston "no zoning,no problems" back up, this statement with what you know please
Thursday, September 17 Report this