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Bill would bar property covenants that keep groceries, pharmacies out of communities, sponsors say
Summary
Sponsors and stakeholders told the Senate Business Committee HB 2294 would prohibit new private covenants that restrict the use of property for grocery stores or pharmacies, with limited exceptions for prior agreements and short, time‑limited relocation protections; retailers urged tightening language for retail centers.
Olympia, Feb. 19 — The Senate Business Committee heard engrossed House Bill 2,294, which would declare private negative‑use restrictions that bar grocery stores or pharmacies to be against public policy, void and unenforceable going forward.
Committee staff summarized the bill as targeting "negative use restrictions" (for example, deed restrictions or covenants) that prevent use of property for grocery stores, drugstores or pharmacies. The bill contains exceptions: agreements entered before the effective date remain enforceable; short, time‑limited restrictions are permitted when a store relocates within two miles…
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