Overview
Spokane completed a major rewrite under the 'Building Opportunity for Housing' (BOH) initiative: ORD C36459 (eff 2024-01-01) repealed legacy Ch. 17C.110 (RSF / RSF-C / RTF / RMF / RHD system) and replaced it with new Ch. 17C.111 collapsing single-family/two-family/townhouse into three residential intensity tiers (RA, R1, R2) plus RMF and RHD. ORD C36810 (eff 2026-01-18) updated Table 17C.111.115-1 to permit middle housing and co-living by-right in R1/R2/RMF/RHD. Centers and Corridors and Downtown are unchanged in name from pre-BOH but Ch. 17C.122 was substantively rewritten by ORD C36556 (eff 2024-09-15).
- BOH replacement — Ch. 17C.110 repealed; Ch. 17C.111 in force since 2024-01-01. Spokane's 'Building Opportunity for Housing' (BOH) initiative repealed legacy Chapter 17C.110 (RSF, RSF-C, RTF, RMF, RHD residential zones with density-encoded ranges) via ORD C36459 effective 2024-01-01. The new Ch. 17C.111 collapses single-family / two-family / townhouse uses into three residential intensity tiers (RA, R1, R2) plus RMF and RHD. ORD C36810 (eff 2026-01-18) updated Table 17C.111.115-1 to permit middle housing (duplex/triplex/fourplex/townhouse/cottage cluster) by-right in R1/R2/RMF/RHD and to permit co-living in all those zones. Legacy zoning map references using RSF/RSF-C/RTF codes must be cross-walked: RSF -> R1, RSF-C -> R1 or R2 (depending on adjacency context), RTF -> R2, RMF -> RMF (unchanged code, expanded scope), RHD -> RHD (unchanged code, expanded scope).
- No maximum density on sites <=2 acres in any residential zone. Per Table 17C.111.205-1, all five residential zones (RA/R1/R2/RMF/RHD) have 'No maximum' density on sites of 2 acres or less. Capacity is constrained de facto by minimum lot size (1,200 sf in R1/R2/RMF/RHD), building coverage (65/80/100/100%), max building footprint (2,450 sf small lot or 35% of large lot in R1/R2), height (40/40/55/75 ft), and setback rules. Above 2 acres, RA/R1 cap at 10 du/ac, R2 at 20 du/ac, RMF/RHD unlimited.
- 1,200 sf minimum lot area in R1/R2/RMF/RHD — enables aggressive unit lot subdivision. Per Table 17C.111.205-1, minimum lot area for new subdivisions in R1/R2/RMF/RHD is 1,200 sf (compared to 7,200 sf in RA and legacy 5,000-7,200 sf in former RSF/RTF zones). Combined with no minimum parent lot area and no minimum child lot area for unit lot subdivisions (per SMC 17G.080.065), this permits granular lot splits supporting middle housing. Minimum lot width is just 15 ft (40 ft in RA), and lot depth is 40 ft in R2 / 80 ft in RA/R1 / N/A in RMF/RHD.
+ 7 more in Quirks & notes
Districts
| Code | Name | Category | Min lot | Height | Coverage | FAR | Du/ac | Parking | Setbacks F/S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA | Residential Agricultural | ag | 7,200 sf[1] | 35 ft[2] | 0.5[3] | N/A[4] | [{'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites <= 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum density on sites 2 acres or less'}, {'v': 10, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites > 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum density on sites larger than 2 acres'}] | not_captured[5] | — / — / — |
| R1 | Residential 1 | res_sf | 1,200 sf[6] | 40 ft[7] | 0.65[8] | N/A[9] | [{'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites <= 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}, {'v': 10, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites > 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}] | not_captured[10] | — / — / — |
| R2 | Residential 2 | res_th | 1,200 sf[11] | 40 ft[12] | 0.8[13] | N/A[14] | [{'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites <= 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}, {'v': 20, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites > 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}] | not_captured[15] | — / — / — |
| RMF | Residential Multifamily | res_mf | 1,200 sf[16] | 55 ft[17] | 1[18] | N/A[19] | [{'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites <= 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}, {'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites > 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}] | not_captured[20] | — / — / — |
| RHD | Residential High Density | res_mf | 1,200 sf[21] | 75 ft[22] | 1[23] | N/A | [{'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites <= 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}, {'v': 'No maximum', 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'sites > 2 acres', 'note': 'Table 17C.111.205-1'}] | not_captured[24] | — / — / — |
| O | Office | office | — | 35 ft[25] | — | 0.8[26] | — | — | — / — / — |
| OR | Office Retail | office_retail | — | 35 ft[27] | — | 6[28] | — | — | — / — / — |
| NR | Neighborhood Retail | commercial | — | 35 ft | — | 0.8 | — | — | — / — / — |
| NMU | Neighborhood Mixed Use | mu | — | 40 ft | — | 1[29] | — | — | — / — / — |
| CB | Community Business | commercial | — | 55 ft[30] | — | 1.5 | — | — | — / — / — |
| GC | General Commercial | commercial | — | 70 ft | — | 2.5 | — | — | — / — / — |
| CC1 | Center and Corridor Type 1 (Pedestrian Emphasis / Auto Accommodating) | mu | — | [{'v': 55, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'Neighborhood Center', 'note': 'Table 17C.122.200-2; +15 ft bonus per SMC 17C.122.090'}, {'v': 75, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'District Center or Corridor', 'note': 'Table 17C.122.200-2; +15 ft bonus available'}, {'v': 150, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'Employment Center', 'note': 'Table 17C.122.200-2; structures over 70 ft also follow Ch. 17C.250 Tall Building Standards'}] ft | — | No Maximum[31] | — | — | — / — / — |
| CC2 | Center and Corridor Type 2 (Pedestrian Enhanced / Auto Accommodating) | mu | — | [{'v': 55, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'Neighborhood Center', 'note': 'Table 17C.122.200-2'}, {'v': 75, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'District Center or Corridor'}, {'v': 150, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'Employment Center'}] ft | — | No Maximum | — | — | — / — / — |
| CC4 | Center and Corridor Type 4 (Mixed Use Transition) | mu | — | [{'v': 55, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'Neighborhood Center / District Center or Corridor', 'note': 'Table 17C.122.200-2'}, {'v': 75, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'Employment Center'}] ft | — | No Maximum | — | — | — / — / — |
| DTC | Downtown Core | cbd | — | No Limit ft[32] | — | No Limit[33] | — | — | — / — / — |
| DTG | Downtown General | cbd | — | 12 stories ft[34] | — | 6[35] | — | — | — / — / — |
| DTU | Downtown University | cbd | — | 12 stories ft | — | 6 | — | — | — / — / — |
| DTS | Downtown South | cbd | — | 12 stories ft | — | 4 | — | — | — / — / — |
| LI | Light Industrial | ind | — | [{'v': 150, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'general', 'note': 'Table 17C.130.210-1'}, {'v': 35, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'abutting R-zoned lot', 'note': 'Table 17C.130.210-1; within 150 ft of R1/R2 boundary, height transitions 1:2 starting at 30 ft per SMC 17C.130.220(B)'}] ft | — | No Limit[36] | — | — | — / — / — |
| HI | Heavy Industrial | ind | — | [{'v': 150, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'general'}, {'v': 35, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'abutting R-zoned lot'}] ft | — | No Limit | — | — | — / — / — |
| PI | Planned Industrial | ind | — | [{'v': 150, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'general'}, {'v': 35, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'abutting R-zoned lot'}] ft | — | No Limit | — | — | — / — / — |
Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found
Overlays
State preemptions
Adopted building codes
Statewide; update sched May 2026
Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.
Amendment history
| Date | Kind | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| ORD C36459 — Building Opportunity for Housing Phase 1 (replaces Ch. 17C.110 with Ch. 17C.111; new residential zones RA/R1/R2/RMF/RHD) | ||
| ORD C36459 effective date — new Ch. 17C.111 in force | ||
| ORD C36556 — Centers and Corridors Ch. 17C.122 update (new Table 17C.122.200-2) | ||
| ORD C36556 effective date | ||
| ORD C36696 — Ch. 17C.300 ADU update (HB 1337 implementation) | ||
| ORD C36696 effective date | ||
| ORD C36810 — Table 17C.111.115-1 Housing Types Allowed update (co-living + middle housing in all R1/R2/RMF/RHD) | ||
| ORD C36810 effective date |
Quirks & notes
- BOH replacement — Ch. 17C.110 repealed; Ch. 17C.111 in force since 2024-01-01. Spokane's 'Building Opportunity for Housing' (BOH) initiative repealed legacy Chapter 17C.110 (RSF, RSF-C, RTF, RMF, RHD residential zones with density-encoded ranges) via ORD C36459 effective 2024-01-01. The new Ch. 17C.111 collapses single-family / two-family / townhouse uses into three residential intensity tiers (RA, R1, R2) plus RMF and RHD. ORD C36810 (eff 2026-01-18) updated Table 17C.111.115-1 to permit middle housing (duplex/triplex/fourplex/townhouse/cottage cluster) by-right in R1/R2/RMF/RHD and to permit co-living in all those zones. Legacy zoning map references using RSF/RSF-C/RTF codes must be cross-walked: RSF -> R1, RSF-C -> R1 or R2 (depending on adjacency context), RTF -> R2, RMF -> RMF (unchanged code, expanded scope), RHD -> RHD (unchanged code, expanded scope).
- No maximum density on sites <=2 acres in any residential zone. Per Table 17C.111.205-1, all five residential zones (RA/R1/R2/RMF/RHD) have 'No maximum' density on sites of 2 acres or less. Capacity is constrained de facto by minimum lot size (1,200 sf in R1/R2/RMF/RHD), building coverage (65/80/100/100%), max building footprint (2,450 sf small lot or 35% of large lot in R1/R2), height (40/40/55/75 ft), and setback rules. Above 2 acres, RA/R1 cap at 10 du/ac, R2 at 20 du/ac, RMF/RHD unlimited.
- 1,200 sf minimum lot area in R1/R2/RMF/RHD — enables aggressive unit lot subdivision. Per Table 17C.111.205-1, minimum lot area for new subdivisions in R1/R2/RMF/RHD is 1,200 sf (compared to 7,200 sf in RA and legacy 5,000-7,200 sf in former RSF/RTF zones). Combined with no minimum parent lot area and no minimum child lot area for unit lot subdivisions (per SMC 17G.080.065), this permits granular lot splits supporting middle housing. Minimum lot width is just 15 ft (40 ft in RA), and lot depth is 40 ft in R2 / 80 ft in RA/R1 / N/A in RMF/RHD.
- Industrial height transition: 1:2 ratio from 30 ft within 150 ft of SF/two-family residential. Per SMC 17C.130.220(B)(1), for all industrial development within 150 ft of any R1 or R2 residential zone, building height starts at 30 ft at the residential zone boundary, then increases at a 1:2 ratio (1 ft additional height per 2 ft additional horizontal distance from the residential boundary). At 150 ft distance, full 150 ft zone height applies (30 + 60 = 90 ft, then full 150 ft beyond). This is a SETBACK-DRIVEN HEIGHT ENVELOPE, not a flat 35 ft cap — the Table 17C.130.210-1 '35 ft when abutting R zoned lots' summarizes the boundary-line height only.
- Three Center/Corridor TYPES x three center TYPES (zones x classifications) = 9 dimensional combinations. Per Table 17C.122.200-2, the Center and Corridor system has two orthogonal axes: ZONE (CC1, CC2, CC4 — pedestrian intensity) and CENTER TYPE (Neighborhood, District, Employment — scale). Height ranges 55-150 ft depending on combination. CC1 and CC2 Employment Centers permit 150 ft; CC4 Employment Center 75 ft; District Centers 75 ft in CC1/CC2 and 55 ft in CC4. Minimum FAR also varies (0 / 0.5 / 1.0). Single 'CC1' or 'CC2' zoning designation tells you nothing about height — you must look up the Center Type from the Land Use Plan Map.
- Public amenity bonus height: +15 ft per SMC 17C.122.090. Per Table 17C.122.200-2 note [1] and SMC 17C.122.090, an additional 15 ft of height is permitted in any CC zone if at least one Public Amenity condition is met (e.g. affordable housing, public art, public open space, sustainable design). This effectively raises Employment Center caps to 165 ft in CC1/CC2 and 90 ft in CC4 with amenity participation.
- CC3 opt-in overlay. Per SMC 17C.122.020(C), CC3 is an overlay applied to parcels with pre-existing zoning whose underlying allowance differs from CC1/CC2. Property may continue using base zoning OR opt in to develop per CC1 or CC2 standards. Not mandatory; provides flexibility for mixed-ownership areas. Example: North Foothills (N Foothills & Hamilton Streets) Employment Center.
- Airfield Overlay (AOZ) imposes elevated minimum lot widths. Per Table 17C.111.205-1, inside the Airfield Overlay Zone, minimum lot width is RA 40 ft / R1 40 ft / R2 36 ft / RMF 25 ft / RHD 25 ft, vs base 15 ft (R1/R2/RMF/RHD) and 40 ft (RA). This is a primary lateral dimensional constraint on residential lot creation around Spokane International (GEG) and Felts Field.
- Fairchild AICUZ + Spokane Intl + Felts Field — three federal aviation overlays stack. Three federal aviation overlays affect parts of Spokane and its UGA: (1) Spokane International Airport (GEG) FAA Part 77 — civilian, controlled by Spokane Intl Airport Board; (2) Felts Field (SFF) FAA Part 77 — civilian general aviation, NE Spokane; (3) Fairchild AFB AICUZ + UFC 3-260-01 — military, west of Spokane city limits but extending east. Implemented via SMC Ch. 17C.180 (Airfield Overlay Zones, AOZ subzones ACZ-1 through ACZ-5) and Ch. 17C.182 (Fairchild Overlay, MIA subzones 1-4). Use restrictions, density caps (e.g. 40-70 persons/acre net in ACZ-2/3), and height limits stack on base zoning.
- City Line BRT triggers RCW 36.70A.030(33) major transit stop along its corridor. STA City Line (electric BRT, opened 2023-07-15 with 7.5-min peak headway since Jan 2024) runs Browne's Addition -> Downtown -> Riverpoint/University District -> Spokane Community College. Its level-boarding stations with off-board fare collection and ROW priority make them 'major transit stops' per RCW 36.70A.030(33). Parcels within 1/4 mi walk of City Line stations qualify for HB 1110 6-plex tier (with 2 affordable units); within 1/2 mi qualify for parking exemptions per HB 1110 / HB 1337. Spokane has NO operational light rail — STA Connect 2.0 long-range plan considers additional fixed-route BRT but nothing operational.
Massing explorer
Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.
| District | Category | Height | FAR | Coverage | Setbacks | Parking | Density | Min lot | Overlays |
|---|
Sources & references
- https://my.spokanecity.org/business/resources/
- https://my.spokanecity.org/projects/building-opportunity-for-housing/
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.111
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.120
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.122
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.124
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.130
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.170
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.180
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.182
- https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Chapter=17C.300
- [1] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Minimum lot area for subdivisions
- [2] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Maximum building height (primary)
- [3] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum total building coverage
- [4] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Floor area ratio not applied in residential zones
- [5] artial — Ch. 17C.230 governs parking; not deep-pulled this pass
- [6] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Minimum lot area for subdivisions (significantly reduced from legacy 5,000-7,200 sf to accommodate HB 1110 unit-lot subdivisions)
- [7] — Table 17C.111.205-2
- [8] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum total building coverage
- [9] — Table 17C.111.205-2
- [10] artial — Ch. 17C.230 governs parking
- [11] — Table 17C.111.205-1
- [12] — Table 17C.111.205-2
- [13] — Table 17C.111.205-1
- [14] — Table 17C.111.205-2
- [15] artial
- [16] — Table 17C.111.205-1
- [17] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Maximum building height (primary)
- [18] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum total building coverage 100%
- [19] — Table 17C.111.205-2
- [20] artial
- [21] — Table 17C.111.205-1
- [22] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Maximum building height (primary)
- [23] — Table 17C.111.205-1
- [24] artial
- [25] — Table 17C.120.210-1
- [26] — Table 17C.120.210-1 — Maximum FAR
- [27] — Table 17C.120.210-1
- [28] — Table 17C.120.210-1 — Maximum FAR (notably high relative to other commercial)
- [29] — Per note [3] additional NMU requirements per SMC 17C.120.280
- [30] — Table 17C.120.210-1; height exception via map symbol suffix per SMC 17C.120.220
- [31] — Table 17C.122.200-2 — Maximum FAR is unlimited in all CC1 center types
- [32] — Table 17C.124.210-1; SHO Downtown West End and other special height overlays may impose limits in specific subareas
- [33] — Table 17C.124.210-1
- [34] — Table 17C.124.210-1; SHO overlays may impose lower limits
- [35] — Table 17C.124.210-1
- [36] — Table 17C.130.210-1; nonindustrial uses use GC FAR per note [2]
Research status
Publication gates
| primary url present | passed | https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Title=17C — city-hosted code, not an aggregator |
|---|---|---|
| no aggregator cited | passed | scan clean — no zoneomics/steadily/siteplanguide/siteplancreator/propwire/zonara/unzoned references |
| confidence tags full form | passed | All confirmed dimensional fields carry SMC § citations (17C.111.205, 17C.120.210, 17C.122.200, 17C.124.210, 17C.130.210, 17C.130.220, 17C.170, 17C.180.090, 17C.182.250, 17C.300.110, 17C.300.130) |
| overlays have parameters trigger confidence | passed | All 8 overlays (SHO, AOZ, MIA, CC3, ENV-FLOOD, ENV-CRIT, TOD-SLPA, INTERIM-HT) carry non-empty parameters[], geographic_trigger, status, and SMC § citation |
| preempt section city specific | passed | 5 active state laws (HB 1110, HB 1337, E2SHB 1220, SB 5184, SB 5290) with city-specific qualifying_condition_checked including pop 228,989 / 2020 Census vintage / HB 1110 Tier 1 threshold / City Line BRT major-transit-stop analysis |
Known issues
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