Zoning › Washington › Spokane County › Spokane

Spokane, WA Zoning

Euclidean-zoning. 21 districts · 8 overlays · 5 applicable state preemptions.

Overview

Code type
euclidean
Naming convention
mixed

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completed a major rewrite under the 'Building Opportunity for Housing' (BOH) initiative: ORD C36459 (eff 2024-01-01) repealed legacy Ch. 17C.110 (RSF / RSF-C / RTF / RMF / RHD system) and replaced it with new Ch. 17C.111 collapsing single-family/two-family/townhouse into three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). | naming_convention_raw=Letter-code with implicit intensity progression. Residential zones (post-BOH Ch. 17C.111): RA (Residential Agricultural) -> R1 (Residential 1) -> R2 (Residential 2) -> RMF (Residential Multifamily) -> RHD (Residential High Density). RA/R1/R2 are the 'low-intensity residential zones' per SMC 17C.111.020; RMF/RHD are 'higher intensity'. Commercial zones (Ch. 17C.120): O, OR, NR, NMU, CB, GC. Center and Corridor zones (Ch. 17C.122): CC1, CC2, CC3 (overlay opt-in), CC4 (transition). Downtown zones (Ch. 17C.124): DTC, DTG, DTU, DTS. Industrial (Ch. 17C.130): LI, HI, PI. Density is NOT encoded in district numbers; intensity progresses by letter/number order. ; sub_flags_raw=[pacific-northwest, transit-rich-tier1-brt, hb1110-tier1, boh-in-flight] ; narrative_ref=narratives/spokane-wa/drain-20260518T072625-wa-04.json

Worth knowing
  • Spokane's 'Building Opportunity for Housing' (BOH) initiative repealed legacy Chapter 17C.110 (RSF, RSF-C, RTF, RMF, RHD residential zones with density-encoded ranges) via ORD C36459 effective 2024-01-01.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).
  • 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.
  • 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

spec 5mu 4cbd 4ind 3res_mf 2ag 1res_sf 1res_th 1
CodeNameCategory Min lotHeight CoverageFAR Du/acParking Setbacks F/S/R
RAResidential Agriculturalag7,200 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]— / — / —
R1Residential 1res_sf1,200 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]— / — / —
R2Residential 2res_th1,200 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]— / — / —
RMFResidential Multifamilyres_mf1,200 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]— / — / —
RHDResidential High Densityres_mf1,200 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]— / — / —
OOfficespec—35 ft[25]—0.8[26]——— / — / —
OROffice Retailspec—35 ft[27]—6[28]——— / — / —
NRNeighborhood Retailspec—35 ft—0.8——— / — / —
NMUNeighborhood Mixed Usemu—40 ft—1[29]——— / — / —
CBCommunity Businessspec—55 ft[30]—1.5——— / — / —
GCGeneral Commercialspec—70 ft—2.5——— / — / —
CC1Center 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]——— / — / —
CC2Center 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——— / — / —
CC4Center 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——— / — / —
DTCDowntown Corecbd—No Limit ft[32]—No Limit[33]——— / — / —
DTGDowntown Generalcbd—12 stories ft[34]—6[35]——— / — / —
DTUDowntown Universitycbd—12 stories ft—6——— / — / —
DTSDowntown Southcbd—12 stories ft—4——— / — / —
LILight Industrialind—[{'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]——— / — / —
HIHeavy Industrialind—[{'v': 150, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'general'}, {'v': 35, 'c': 'c', 'applies_to': 'abutting R-zoned lot'}] ft—No Limit——— / — / —
PIPlanned Industrialind—[{'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

SHO
Special Height Overlay Districts (Ch. 17C.170)
SPEC
SMC Ch. 17C.170 — Special Height Overlay Districts

Mapped subareas where height control is needed for view preservation, airport approaches, or downtown character protection. Includes the Downtown West End (between Monroe and Cedar Streets, between Main Ave and Riverside Ave) where height is stepped: 35 ft max within 50 ft depth of ROW/property line, 70 ft beyond.

AOZ
Airfield Overlay Zones (Ch. 17C.180) — Spokane International Airport (GEG) + Felts Field
SPEC
SMC Ch. 17C.180 — Airfield Overlay Zones

Areas around Spokane International Airport (GEG, southwest of city) and Felts Field (FAA general aviation, NE of city). ACZ-1 through ACZ-5 (Airport Compatibility Zones) plus noise zones per FAA Part 77 and WSDOT Aviation guidelines.

MIA
Fairchild Overlay Zones (Ch. 17C.182) — Fairchild Air Force Base AICUZ
SPEC
SMC Ch. 17C.182 — Fairchild Overlay Zones

Areas around Fairchild Air Force Base (west of Spokane city limits but extending into city territory). Based on DoD Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) program — Accident Potential Zones (APZ-I, APZ-II), Clear Zone (CZ), and noise contours (DNL 65/70/75/80+ dB).

CC3
Centers and Corridors Type 3 — Opt-In Overlay (Ch. 17C.122)
SPEC
SMC Ch. 17C.122 — Center and Corridor Zones

CC3 overlay applied to areas with pre-existing zoning designations whose underlying base allows different uses/standards than CC1/CC2. Property may continue using existing zoning OR opt in to develop per CC1 or CC2 standards. Example: North Foothills (N Foothills & Hamilton Streets) — Employment Center designation on Land Use Plan Map.

ENV-FLOOD
Floodplain Regulations (Title 17E.030)
SPEC
SMC Title 17E Ch. 17E.030 — Floodplains

FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone AE, floodway) along Spokane River, Hangman Creek (Latah Creek), and Little Spokane River drainage. Current FIRM panels per Spokane County / FEMA.

ENV-CRIT
Geologically Hazardous Areas / SEPA / Shoreline / Wetlands (Title 17E)
SPEC
SMC Title 17E — Environmental Standards: 17E.040 Geologically Hazardous Areas; 17E.050 SEPA; 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations; 17E.070 Wetlands Protection

Mapped per respective hazard or resource: steep slopes, landslide / erosion / seismic hazard areas (17E.040); SEPA-thresholded actions (17E.050); Spokane River shoreline corridor (17E.060); mapped or delineated wetlands (17E.070).

TOD-SLPA
South Logan TOD Planned Action (Ch. 17C.420)
SPEC
SMC Ch. 17C.420 — South Logan TOD Planned Action

South Logan TOD subarea (adjacent to North Hamilton / Trent Ave Trent corridor north of Gonzaga); designated as a SEPA Planned Action area to streamline environmental review for TOD development.

INTERIM-HT
Interim Height Limits (Ch. 17C.425)
SPEC
SMC Ch. 17C.425 — Interim Height Limits

Mapped subareas subject to interim height limits during ongoing planning processes (chapter created via interim ordinance under RCW 36.70A.390).

State preemptions

WA-HB-1110-middle-housingapplies
Qualifying condition
{"city_population": 228989, "population_source": "U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census (Spokane city, WA \u2014 FIPS 5363000)", "population_vintage": "2020-04-01", "threshold": 75000, "tier_assigned": "Tier 1 (>=75,000)", "secondary_population_check": "WA OFM 2024 estimate ~230,160 \u2014 also exceeds 75,000 threshold", "transit_qualification": "STA City Line BRT (electric bus rapid transit, opened 2023-07-15, 7.5-minute peak headway since 2024-01-21) operates 6-mile fixed corridor Browne's Addition -> Downtown -> University District -> Spokane Community College with level-boarding stations, off-board fare collection, and ROW priority \u2014 meets RCW 36.70A.030(33) 'major transit stop' definition (fixed BRT, peak headway <=15 min). No operational light rail."} | qualifying_condition=Spokane pop 228,989 (2020 Census) >= 75,000 -> HB 1110 Tier 1 city; STA City Line BRT 7.5-min peak headway -> RCW 36.70A.030(33) major transit stops along corridor ; preempted_local_standards=Legacy single-family-only restrictions in former RSF / RSF-C / RTF zones (Ch. 17C.110 repealed); legacy density-encoded ranges (4-10 du/ac RSF, 10-20 du/ac RTF, 15-30 du/ac RMF) replaced with 'No maximum density on sites <=2 acres' (Ch. 17C.111); minimum lot area reduced from 5,000-7,200 sf to 1,200 sf in R1/R2/RMF/RHD ; preempting_law=WA HB 1110 (2023) / RCW 36.70A.635 ; preempted_effective_date=2024-07-01 ; local_implementation_status=implemented — ORD C36459 (BOH Phase 1, eff 2024-01-01) repealed Ch. 17C.110 and created Ch. 17C.111; ORD C36810 (eff 2026-01-18) added middle housing and co-living to Table 17C.111.115-1 housing types allowed by zone
Effect
Middle housing (duplex/triplex/fourplex/townhouse/cottage cluster) by-right in R1, R2, RMF, RHD per Table 17C.111.115-1; minimum lot area reduced to 1,200 sf in R1/R2/RMF/RHD (Table 17C.111.205-1); no maximum density on sites <=2 acres in any residential zone; parcels within 1/4 mi of City Line stations qualify for 6-plex tier (with 2 affordable units) per HB 1110; parcels within 1/2 mi qualify for parking exemptions; co-living permitted in R1/R2/RMF/RHD
WA-HB-1337-ADUsapplies
Qualifying condition
{"scope": "statewide mandate", "city_status": "GMA-planning code city under RCW 36.70A", "city_population": 228989, "population_vintage": "2020-04-01", "applicability": "applies to all WA cities planning under GMA regardless of population"} | qualifying_condition=statewide mandate applies; Spokane is a GMA-planning city ; preempted_local_standards=Legacy single-attached-ADU restriction; legacy owner-occupancy mandate; legacy ADU parking mandate within 1/2 mi major transit ; preempting_law=WA HB 1337 (2023) / RCW 36.70A.680, RCW 36.70A.681 ; preempted_effective_date=2023-07-23 ; local_implementation_status=implemented — Ch. 17C.300 rewritten by ORD C36696 (eff 2025-07-11)
Effect
ADUs permitted by-right in R1/R2/RMF/RHD (Table 17C.111.115-1); attached and detached ADUs both allowed up to 1,000 sf each (SMC 17C.300.110(A)); detached ADU max height 25 ft and max footprint 1,200 sf (Table 17C.111.205-2); owner-occupancy not required except where lot also has short-term rental (SMC 17C.300.110(B)); ADU may be constructed on any site with existing or new principal structure in R1/R2/RMF/RHD including with non-residential principal use (SMC 17C.300.130(A)(1)(a)(v))
WA-E2SHB-1220-comp-plan-housingapplies
Qualifying condition
{"scope": "all GMA-planning cities", "city_status": "GMA-planning code city", "comp_plan_status": "Spokane Comprehensive Plan with HB 1220 housing element compliance addressed through periodic update cycle (Spokane County mandates periodic update by 2026)"} | qualifying_condition=Spokane is a GMA-planning city; must update comprehensive plan housing element ; preempted_local_standards=Any zone prohibiting PSH / emergency shelter where residential is otherwise allowed ; preempting_law=WA E2SHB 1220 (2021) / RCW 36.70A.070(2) ; preempted_effective_date=2021-07-25 ; local_implementation_status=implemented — Ch. 17C.330 Group Living and Comprehensive Plan housing element address PSH / shelter siting; specific zone-by-zone permission deferred to Table 17C.111.115-1 / 17C.120.100-1 / 17C.122.070 use tables
Effect
Must plan for / accommodate permanent supportive housing + transitional housing + emergency shelters; shelters allowed in at least one zone citywide; PSH cannot be prohibited where residential is otherwise allowed; implemented via Spokane Comprehensive Plan housing element + SMC Ch. 17C.330 Group Living
WA-SB-5184-lot-splittingapplies
Qualifying condition
{"scope": "statewide enablement", "city_status": "GMA-planning code city", "tied_to": "HB 1110 unit-count thresholds (Spokane Tier 1)"} | qualifying_condition=statewide enablement; Spokane subject as HB 1110 Tier 1 city ; preempted_local_standards=Subdivision standards that block unit-lot splitting at HB 1110 unit counts ; preempting_law=WA SB 5184 (2024) ; preempted_effective_date=2024-07-01 ; local_implementation_status=implemented — unit lot subdivisions referenced in Table 17C.111.205-1 and SMC 17G.080.065
Effect
Unit lot subdivisions enabled per SMC 17G.080.065 — referenced in Table 17C.111.205-1 with 'No minimum parent lot area / No minimum child lot area' and 2-acre maximum parent lot, supporting HB 1110 middle housing unit counts on minimal lot footprints
WA-SB-5290-permit-timelinesapplies
Qualifying condition
{"scope": "all GMA-planning cities", "city_status": "GMA-planning code city", "effective": "2024-01-01"} | qualifying_condition=Spokane is a GMA-planning city ; preempted_local_standards=Any local permit-review timeline exceeding RCW 36.70B.080 maximums ; preempting_law=WA SB 5290 (2023) / RCW 36.70B.080 ; preempted_effective_date=2024-01-01 ; local_implementation_status=under_review — Title 17G procedural chapters not deep-pulled this pass; compliance assumed per statewide mandate ; qualifying_condition_checked_retrieval_failure_reason=Time-boxed scope — Title 17G procedural review-timeline chapters not pulled this pass
Effect
Type 1 65 days / Type 2 100 days / Type 3-4 170 days statutory permit review caps with 10%-100% fee refund schedule on non-compliance

Adopted building codes

Statewide; update sched May 2026

IBC
2021
IRC
2021
NEC
2023
IFC
2021
IECC (Residential)
2021
IECC (Commercial)
2021

Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.

Amendment history

DateKindCitation
2026-01-18effectiveORD C36810 effective date | type=housing_types_update_effective
2025-12-08effectiveORD C36810 — Table 17C.111.115-1 Housing Types Allowed update (co-living + middle housing in all R1/R2/RMF/RHD) | type=housing_types_update_adopted
2025-07-11effectiveORD C36696 effective date | type=adu_update_effective
2025-06-02effectiveORD C36696 — Ch. 17C.300 ADU update (HB 1337 implementation) | type=adu_update_adopted
2024-09-15effectiveORD C36556 effective date | type=centers_corridors_update_effective
2024-08-12effectiveORD C36556 — Centers and Corridors Ch. 17C.122 update (new Table 17C.122.200-2) | type=centers_corridors_update_adopted
2024-01-01effectiveORD C36459 effective date — new Ch. 17C.111 in force | type=boh_phase1_ordinance_effective
2023-11-20effectiveORD C36459 — Building Opportunity for Housing Phase 1 (replaces Ch. 17C.110 with Ch. 17C.111; new residential zones RA/R1/R2/RMF/RHD) | type=boh_phase1_ordinance_adopted

Quirks & notes

  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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Sources & references

Primary source
Spokane Municipal Code Title 17C — Land Use Standards
Through Ordinance C36810 (Dec 8, 2025; effective 2026-01-18); continuing supplements via my.spokanecity.org/smc · retrieved 2026-05-18
Secondary sources
Citations
  1. [1] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Minimum lot area for subdivisions
  2. [2] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Maximum building height (primary)
  3. [3] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum total building coverage
  4. [4] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Floor area ratio not applied in residential zones
  5. [5] artial — Ch. 17C.230 governs parking; not deep-pulled this pass
  6. [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. [7] — Table 17C.111.205-2
  8. [8] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum total building coverage
  9. [9] — Table 17C.111.205-2
  10. [10] artial — Ch. 17C.230 governs parking
  11. [11] — Table 17C.111.205-1
  12. [12] — Table 17C.111.205-2
  13. [13] — Table 17C.111.205-1
  14. [14] — Table 17C.111.205-2
  15. [15] artial
  16. [16] — Table 17C.111.205-1
  17. [17] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Maximum building height (primary)
  18. [18] — Table 17C.111.205-1 — Maximum total building coverage 100%
  19. [19] — Table 17C.111.205-2
  20. [20] artial
  21. [21] — Table 17C.111.205-1
  22. [22] — Table 17C.111.205-2 — Maximum building height (primary)
  23. [23] — Table 17C.111.205-1
  24. [24] artial
  25. [25] — Table 17C.120.210-1
  26. [26] — Table 17C.120.210-1 — Maximum FAR
  27. [27] — Table 17C.120.210-1
  28. [28] — Table 17C.120.210-1 — Maximum FAR (notably high relative to other commercial)
  29. [29] — Per note [3] additional NMU requirements per SMC 17C.120.280
  30. [30] — Table 17C.120.210-1; height exception via map symbol suffix per SMC 17C.120.220
  31. [31] — Table 17C.122.200-2 — Maximum FAR is unlimited in all CC1 center types
  32. [32] — Table 17C.124.210-1; SHO Downtown West End and other special height overlays may impose limits in specific subareas
  33. [33] — Table 17C.124.210-1
  34. [34] — Table 17C.124.210-1; SHO overlays may impose lower limits
  35. [35] — Table 17C.124.210-1
  36. [36] — Table 17C.130.210-1; nonindustrial uses use GC FAR per note [2]

Research status

Publication gates

primary url presentpassedhttps://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Title=17C — city-hosted code, not an aggregator
no aggregator citedpassedscan clean — no zoneomics/steadily/siteplanguide/siteplancreator/propwire/zonara/unzoned references
confidence tags full formpassedAll 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 confidencepassedAll 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 specificpassed5 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

freshness:volatileboh-implementation-in-flight:legacy-RSF/RTF-replaced-by-R1/R2/RMF/RHD-per-ORD-C36459

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