The Seattle City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance Tuesday banning “restrictive covenants” that prevent new grocery stores and pharmacies from opening in locations previously used for those purposes. The move comes in response to growing food and medicine deserts across multiple Seattle neighborhoods.
The ordinance, Council Bill 121094, targets anti-competitive tactics in which grocery store chains place legal covenants on properties they vacate, blocking potential competitors from moving in. In some cases, these restrictions were designed to last up to 50 years, keeping critical services out of neighborhoods with few alternatives.
“Access to food is a human right,” said Councilmember Debora Juarez. “It should not be limited due to barriers put in place by grocery store owners.”
The measure, proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell and Council President Sara Nelson, took effect immediately and will remain in place for one year while the city studies permanent policy options. The legislation also declares a public health emergency due to recent closures, including a Whole Foods Market in Capitol Hill and a Fred Meyer in Lake City.
In tandem with the ordinance, Mayor Harrell issued an executive order directing city officials to explore the purchase of the Lake City property and other potential grocery store sites. The plan includes possible zoning and permitting changes to encourage development and third-party partnerships to operate food stores in underserved areas.
The push for stronger food access mirrors a broader debate happening in cities like New York, where socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has advocated for publicly owned grocery stores. In Seattle, Harrell’s mayoral opponent, Katie Wilson, supports a public-option model where the city would partner with a private grocer or union to maintain affordable access.
Opponents warn that government intervention in the grocery business could lead to inefficiencies, wasted spending, and political interference in commercial real estate markets. Still, Seattle’s leadership appears united in its short-term goal of removing legal barriers to market competition and improving access to basic necessities in struggling neighborhoods.
