The bill aims to facilitate the establishment of neighborhood stores and cafes in residential zones across Washington State. It mandates that cities and towns allow these businesses in any zone that permits residential uses, with specific conditions such as requiring cafes to offer food if they serve alcoholic drinks. The legislation also allows local governments to regulate parking and set operational hours, ensuring that neighborhood cafes can operate for at least 12 consecutive hours. Additionally, it prohibits signage or advertising for products illegal to sell to individuals under 21 years of age and restricts neighborhood stores in residential zones from selling nicotine products.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for cities to adopt or amend their zoning regulations to comply with these new requirements, with a timeline for implementation based on their planning schedules. It also reenacts and amends existing laws to exempt certain nonproject actions from environmental review, specifically those necessary to comply with the new regulations regarding neighborhood stores and cafes. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistency with local development regulations while allowing for the growth of small businesses in residential areas.