WASH.Regulation
Seattle council passes ban on algorithmic personalized grocery pricing, awaiting mayor's signature
The Seattle City Council passed Council Bill 121267 by 7-2 on September 22, 2026, adding a Fair Pricing and Transparency chapter (SMC 7.35) that bars grocery businesses with 20 or more locations, mixed-use retailers and delivery services from setting prices based on tracking or automated analysis of a consumer's personal data. Retailers must disclose discount eligibility criteria and keep records. The bill awaits the mayor's signature and takes effect September 1, 2027.
Text (Seattle City Council (Legistar)) → · Seattle City Council
Key points
- The council passed Council Bill 121267 by 7-2 on September 22, 2026; the ordinance awaits the mayor's signature.Seattle City Council (Legistar)Seattle City Council
- Grocery businesses with 20 or more locations, plus mixed-use retailers and delivery services for grocery items, may not price goods on consumer personal data.Seattle City Council (Legistar)
- Retailers must clearly disclose eligibility criteria for discounted prices, including volume, demographic and tiered discounts, and retain records.Seattle City Council (Legistar)
- Aggrieved consumers may sue for up to $3,000 per violation and $10,000 for subsequent violations; the City Attorney may also enforce.Seattle City Council (Legistar)
- The new SMC Chapter 7.35 takes effect September 1, 2027.Seattle City Council (Legistar)
- Councilmember Rivera voted no, citing affordability concerns for Seattle families.Seattle City Council
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council (Legistar)
Filed under
RegulationWash.SeattleSeattle Council Bill 121267: Fair Pricing and Transparency OrdinanceRegulatoryTechnologyFor practitionersFor governance