Summary
Since the 2020 zoning code rewrite, no new laundromat can legally open anywhere in the city — existing ones are grandfathered in. Board members flagged this as a bigger policy question, since if both existing laundromats closed, the city would have none. The owner was encouraged to petition City Council to change the law.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed May 26, 2026.
Impact analysis
The owner says he has $200,000 in machines ready for the expansion that he can't install.
If Council changes the law, residents — the owner says the laundromat serves 15-20% of the city's population — would keep access to an essential service.
The laundromat owner can't expand his business, and residents could lose access if existing laundromats close.
Mentions & discussions (3)
City Council - May 26, 2026
The owner of Splash Laundry at 6591 East Main Street wanted to expand into the vacant former bakery/martial arts space next door, but the zoning code doesn't list laundromats as a permitted use in that corridor. Council denied the appeal 7-0 but asked staff to consider adding laundromats to the code in the 2027 update, which could open the door for the owner to reapply.
City Council - May 11, 2026
A 53-year-old laundromat can't expand because the 2020 zoning rewrite left laundromats out of every district citywide. Council tabled the appeal but flagged a possible code fix — though likely not for the East Main corridor.
Planning & Zoning Board - Mar 5, 2026
Since the 2020 zoning code rewrite, no new laundromat can legally open anywhere in the city — existing ones are grandfathered in. Board members flagged this as a bigger policy question, since if both existing laundromats closed, the city would have none. The owner was encouraged to petition City Council to change the law.
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