Table 3.

Top dollar store policies identified across data sources and their corresponding perceived benefits and challenges.

Policy	Definition	Perceived benefits	Perceived challenges
Conditional use	Local government approval required for land use approval. The approval process involves assessing alignment with conditions or standards outlined in an ordinance.	Requires certain conditions to be met before a new store dollar store can open, potentially limiting how many stores there are and avoiding further saturation. Allows more time for community members and city agencies to plan and respond to a new dollar store proposal.	Inequitable for communities with limited capacity and resources. Does not address existing dollar stores.
Community agreements	An agreement between a dollar store company, land or building owners, and the surrounding community about certain terms and conditions that must be met.	Empowers communities. Communities and dollar stores can work together to meet community needs.	Difficult to enforce the terms of agreement. Does not address existing dollar stores.
Dispersal ordinance	Requires new stores to locate a certain distance from any existing store.	Decreases dollar store saturation. Protects local small businesses.	May be viewed as discriminatory against dollar stores. Does not address existing dollar stores.
Staple foods ordinance	Requires new stores to stock certain healthy food items such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, and whole grains.	Improves healthy food access. Fills a need in communities with limited grocery and food options. Has the potential to address existing dollar stores.	Difficult to enforce: requires additional capacity at the city level.