illustrated map of a suburban area with green patches, a river flowing through, and five multi-colored pins marking a few areas

Restrictions and Requirements

Please find instructions for required submissions at the bottom of this page.

To apply for a cannabis license, you must meet the following: 

  • Must be 21 years of age or older.
  • Must have lived in Washington state for at least six months before submitting an application.
  • Must submit Personal Criminal History form and have fingerprints taken.
    • Note: This information will be requested as part of the application process. The LCB has specific requirements for fingerprints. Please wait until we request this and provided information on where to have them taken.
    • This information may or may not be required for spouses, depending on their involvement in the business.
  • An individual or married couple may not be a “true party of interest” in more than five retail cannabis licenses.
    • True party of interest typically refers to individuals that have ownership in a cannabis business, receive profit from the business, and/or exercise control of the business. A full description with examples is provided in WAC 314-55-035.
  • An individual or married couple may not be a “true party of interest” in both a cannabis retail license and a cannabis producer or processor license. 

Location Restrictions and Requirements 

LCB cannot issue a new cannabis license if the proposed business is within 1,000 feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, childcare center, public park, public transit center, library, or any game arcade (where admission is not restricted to people age 21 and over). See WAC 314-55-050 for further information. 

  • The 1,000 foot distance is measured as a straight line from the property line of the proposed business location to the property line of the restricted location. The LCB uses geographic information system (GIS) mapping to measure these distances.
  • Local jurisdictions may reduce the buffer zone to 100 feet of the locations listed above (except for elementary schools, secondary schools and playgrounds) by passing an ordinance. Contact the city or county authority directly for information on each jurisdiction’s allowances. 

Check restricted locations here

Cannabis Restricted Entity Map

The proposed location must be accessible to law enforcement and cannot be connected to a residence, located on federal land, located within another business, or located within the exterior boundaries of a federally recognized Tribe without written consent of the Tribe. 

Below are some of the websites used by the LCB to verify restricted locations: 

Public Schools: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Private Schools: The Washington State Board of Education

Child Care Centers: Department of Children, Youth & Families

Public Parks:  Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 

Local Laws and Rules 

Each city or county has their own laws and rules related to zoning, permitting, and licensing. Contact them directly for information. 

Related Rules 

Real Property 

It is important to note that a fully executed (signed/legally binding) lease, rental agreement, sales document, etc. is not required until the very end of the process before an LCB license is issued. The LCB usually requests a draft copy at the beginning of the application process, but it does not need be signed until the license is ready to be issued.

Real property refers to the land, and/or buildings or other things associated with the land where a business is located. Applicants must provide documentation that shows they have legal authorization to occupy the location. Example documents include:

  • Leases
  • Rental agreements
  • Property tax statements
  • Deeds

Documents used to show right to the real property must be in the name of the applicant entity. For example, if you apply as a sole proprietor, the lease must be in your name as an individual. If you apply as part of a Limited Liability Company, the lease must be in the name of the business entity (e.g.  Example Entity, LLC). 

Landlord Requirements 

A cannabis licensee is not allowed to enter into an agreement which causes undue influence over another licensee or industry member. This rule prohibits lease or rental agreements between retail licensees and non-retail producer/processor licensees. When looking for a location, make sure the landlord is not a true party of interest in a non-retail producer and/or processor license.  

Related Rules 

Submission Instructions

Cannabis License Floor Plan Requirements

LCB uses floor plan drawings to make sure the cannabis premises meet security and licensing requirements. All floor plan drawings must be legible, drawn to scale, show a north arrow indicator, and include the following items (when applicable): 

All License Types:
  • All doors and gates, with alarm indicators on entrances and exits
  • All windows, with alarm indicators
  • All rooms should be labeled with their purpose
  • All cameras should have directional arrows to show the area being recorded
  • Secured Surveillance System Recording Device (DVR)
Non-Retail:
  • Production areas, with dimensions clearly labeled (example: 30ft x 20ft)
  • Processing areas
  • Designated waste area
  • Fences (For Outdoor Producers)
  • Camera coverage 20 feet outside fencing (For Outdoor Producers) 
Retail:
  • Product Display Cases
  • Points of Sale

You may use the LCB floor plan key provided below or create your own key. If you create your own key, it must be included on the floor plan drawing.

Resources

Detailed security requirements can be found at: WAC 314-55-083:

Producer privileges, requirements, and fees: WAC 314-55-075:

Processor privileges, requirements, and fees: WAC 314-55-077:

Retailer privileges, requirements, and fees: WAC 314-55-079:

Cannabis Floor Plan Key

Screenshot of a C in a circle with arrows

Surveillance Cameras: The premises must have 100% camera coverage. If you are not using 360° cameras, a minimum of two cameras will be needed in each room. Draw arrows to indicate all directions the camera is capturing.

 

Screenshot of an R inside a square
Retail Display Cases
POS inside a triangle
Retail Points of Sale
Three black X's
Sight Obscured Fencing (8 feet high)
Black dashed line
Fencing
A inside a 5-pointed star
Security Alarm: Required on all exterior doors and windows
2 black X's inside a rectangle
Surveillance System Storage: DVR must be housed in a locking box or cabinet 
The letter D with a curved line
Door: Identify location of all doors, add alarm indicators to all exterior doors
W with a line to the left
Window: Identify location of all windows, add alarm indicators
Two vertical lines
Gate through fenced area: All gates require an alarm and cameras
Active Certificate of Liability Insurance  
  • Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 minimum)
  • Product Liability Required
  • The certificate must list the exact street address and suite number of the licensed location
  • The policy must cover the licensed entity, named exactly as it is registered with the Secretary of State
  • WSLCB must be named as “Additional Insured”
    • The policy must state: “The state and its employees, agents, and volunteers shall be named as an additional insured on all general liability, umbrella, and excess insurance policies. All policies shall be primary over any other valid and collectable insurance.”

Only the one page “Certificate of Liability Insurance” is required. Please do not submit the entire insurance policy.

Detailed Insurance Requirements can be found at: WAC 314-55-082.

Lease Instructions
  • The lease must be in the applicant entity’s name. If the applicant entity is registered with the Secretary of State, the name on the lease must exactly match the name listed on the Secretary of State website
  • The address on the lease must exactly correspond to the address you applied for, including any suite number(s)
  • The lease must include all pages of the master lease and any subleases (if applicable), all exhibits and amendments, and must be signed and dated.
  • The landlord must acknowledge:
    • Landlord may not enter the premises unless accompanied by the tenant, except in emergencies (e.g., fire, gas leak).
    • In the event of default, the landlord will contact the WSLCB Enforcement Division to remove cannabis. By law, the landlord is not permitted to remove, sell, or destroy any cannabis products
Personal Criminal History Instructions

The following instructions will guide you through the process of scheduling your appointment with Fieldprint to have your fingerprints taken.

  1. Log onto the fieldprintwashington.com website to schedule your appointment.
  2. Click “Schedule An Appointment.”
  3. Click “Sign Up” to create account or “log in” if you’re a returning user.
  4. “Reason” - Enter your Fieldprint Code.
    1. Code: FPWALiquorControl1
  5. “Personal Information” and “Demographics”
    1. This information is required by WSP/FBI in order to process the criminal search.
  6. “Additional Information”
    1. Enter your LCB license number.
  7. Next, find a local Fieldprint facility and schedule an appointment.
  8. Pay for the Fieldprint Scheduling Fee and Background Check Fee online. You may use either a credit card or an electronic check.

If you have any issues or questions, contact the Fieldprint customer service team at (877) 614-4364 or at CustomerService@fieldprint.com.