SODA Court Orders

In response to community and business requests to address an increase in illegal drug sales and use in the Smokey Point commercial area, the Arlington City Council has designated the area as a Stay out of Designated Area (SODA) zone. This is another tool that our police officers and prosecutors can use to address repeat drug offenders in the Smokey Point neighborhood.

The zone is generally bordered by:

• I-5 on the west
• 43rd Avenue north east on the east
• 164th Street north east on the south
• 175th Street north east on the north

Obtaining an Order

A SODA order can be imposed by a municipal court judge during the course of a drug related criminal case that occurs in the designated area. A police officer would have to cite or arrest an individual with a drug related crime in the designated area. The officer and prosecutor would have to ask the judge in the criminal case to impose a court order prohibiting the individual from being in the designated area for up to 24 months. The municipal court judge may then choose to impose the order after hearing from both the prosecution and the defense in a criminal case.

Violating the Order

If an officer sees an individual with a SODA order in the designated area, that individual can be arrested for violation of the order.

SODA History

Everett first designated a SODA area in 2007 and now has nine designated areas within its city limits. Marysville designated a large portion of its downtown as a SODA zone in 2012. Marysville expanded the area in 2017 to include areas adjacent to the Snohomish River waterfront area. Other Washington jurisdictions that have adopted SODA regulations include Seattle, Tacoma, Fife, Shoreline, Bothell, University Place, Burien, and SeaTac.