WA House passes Klicker bill to allow neighborhood cafes, stores
By Dan Thesman on Monday, January 19th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – A proposal to allow small neighborhood cafes and stores in residential areas is advancing in the Washington Legislature after stalling last year.
The Washington House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved House Bill 1175 on Thursday with a 94-2 vote. The measure requires cities to permit limited commercial businesses, such as coffee shops and small grocery stores, within zones traditionally reserved for housing.
The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla) argued the policy is about more than just commerce.
“It is not only a bill that opens opportunity in neighborhoods, but it opens opportunity of cohesiveness,” Klicker told colleagues on the House floor. “It opens the opportunity for community.”
Klicker noted that these gathering spots allow neighbors to build relationships naturally.
“You go into these neighborhood markets, pubs, coffee shops, and you might run into somebody,” Klicker said. “Next thing you know, within that year, you are sitting down, having conversation, getting to know each other.”
While the bill enjoyed broad bipartisan support, lawmakers adopted an amendment on the floor intended to grant cities additional local control over how the businesses are integrated.
The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
File photo of Rep. Mark Klicker
