Adding Regulations for Off-Premises Alcohol Outlets in White Salmon, WA

I know there are a lot of other people that are against or at least are concerned about the proposed new Center Market convenience store to be located at 211 N Main Ave (directly across the street from Rhinegarten Park). In general, I’m someone that would love to be supportive of growing the number of businesses in White Salmon as well as increasing the number of places for people to purchase food and beverages. However, in looking into this convenience store more closely, it is clear that they are intending for this store to be selling both alcohol and tobacco. The location of this store is incredibly close to both the White Salmon Elementary School and the most significant park in White Salmon (and the town’s playground).

Washington State Liquor Board already has a rule that bans liquor licenses to be permitted within 500 feet of a public school (66.24.010.9.a), however the methodology of measuring such a distance starts at the school’s front door, not the edge of the property or the closest door. Because Whitson Elementary is a long building, this means that the proposed convenience store is 650 feet away given their measurement methods. For reference, the shortest distance from property line to property line from the Elementary School to this convenience store is 210 feet.

Other cities have already enacted more specific ordinances for defining the rules around the distance required from schools, parks, and playgrounds to eliminate the possibility of these loopholes. I’m asking White Salmon to enact a similar ordinance and want your support. 

For example - Spokane has the following ordinance:

Section 17C.348.030 Regulations for Off-Premises Alcohol Outlets

• An off-premises alcohol outlet shall not be located within five hundred feet of the property line of any public school, private school, community center, library, transit center, or park. The owner or operator of an off-premises alcohol outlet shall be responsible for demonstrating that the proposed location is not within five hundred feet of the property line of a public school, private school, community center, library, transit center, or park.
• The measurement of the separation distance shall be measured as the shortest straight-line distance from the property line of any public school, private school, community center, library, transit center, or park to the property line of the off-premises alcohol outlet.
• Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a person or entity from assuming ownership or operation of an existing off-premises alcohol outlet within the restricted area; provided, the person or entity assumes and maintains the necessary off-premises liquor license required by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and; provided further, said premises shall not be moved any closer to any public school, private school, community center, library, transit center, or park. Nonconforming off-premises alcohol outlets shall be subject to the provisions of SMC Chapter 17C.210 Nonconforming Situations.
• These zoning standards do not apply to grocery establishments, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, or on-premises alcohol outlets as defined in SMC 17C.348.020.

Date Passed: Monday, April 28, 2025

Petition to White Salmon City Council:

I am a resident of White Salmon and I wish for the city to pass an ordinance matching or very similar to Spokane’s ordinance 17C.348.030 Regulating Off-Premises Alcohol Outlets near schools, libraries, parks, playgrounds and other areas of community importance.

Q&A:

How would this proposed ordinance impact Harvest Market, Hi-School Pharmacy, Ace Hardware Store, or any of the restaurants/bars in town?

The proposed ordinance does not apply to grocery stores, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets or on-premises outlets (restaurants/bars), and thus would have no impact on these businesses’ ability to sell alcohol. Additionally, this ordinance would not remove the liquor license of any existing business, but instead would prevent new businesses within close proximity to schools, parks, etc from being able to obtain a liquor license.

Would this prevent a convenience store / small market from opening in the 211 N Main Ave building?

This ordinance would not specifically prevent development of that building into a store or small market. It would simply prevent that store from obtaining an off-premises liquor license (aka, no takeaway alcohol sales). A business could still open that provided many useful services around beverages, snacks, prepackaged foods, produce, etc.

If the Washington State Liquor Board already restricts alcohol sales near schools, why is this ordinance necessary?

The method of measuring distance that is used by the Washington State Liquor board is front door to front door, not edge of parcel to edge of parcel. Whitson Elementary School is very long and skinny, and the front entrance is on the far northern edge. For our particular school topology, this measuring methodology allows for alcohol establishments to be located very close to school premises. This same issue could also potentially apply to the Middle School / High School campus as well.

Additionally, the code provides for “due consideration” for establishments near parks or similar public institutions but does not provide strict guidance therein. White Salmon does not have many public parks and only one playground outside of the school grounds and thus it seems prudent to protect the parks and playgrounds we do have.