City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 17C
Chapter 17C.130
Sections 17C.130.220...
 

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.130 Industrial Zones

Section 17C.130.220 Height
  1. Purpose

The height limits are intended to control the overall scale of buildings. The height limits for sites near residential zones discourage buildings that visually dominate adjacent residential zones. Light, air, and potential for privacy are intended to be preserved in residential zones that are close to industrial zones.

  1. Height Standards

The height standards for all structures are stated in Table 17C.130.210-1. Exceptions to the maximum height standard are stated below.

    1. Maximum Height.

Exceptions to the maximum structure height are designated on the official zoning map by a dash and a height listed after the zone map symbol (i.e., CB-150). Changes to the height limits require a rezone. Height limits are thirty-five feet, forty feet, fifty-five feet, seventy feet or one hundred fifty feet depending on location.

    1. Buildings and structures for uses that are not classified as industrial uses within the Industrial Categories of Table 17C.130.210-1 and that are over fifty feet in height must follow the design, setback and dimensional standards found in chapter 17C.250 SMC, Tall Building Standards.
    1. Adjacent to Single-family and Two-family Residential Zones.

To provide a gradual transition and enhance the compatibility between the more intensive industrial zones and adjacent single-family and two-family residential zones:

      1. For all development within one hundred fifty feet of any single-family or two-family residential zone the maximum building height is as follows:
        1. Starting at a height of thirty feet at the residential zone boundary, additional building height may be added at a ratio of one to two (one foot of additional building height for every two feet of additional horizontal distance from the closest single-family or two-family residential zone). The building height transition requirement ends one hundred fifty feet from the single-family or two-family residential zone and then full building height allowed in the zone applies.

                

    1. Projections Allowed.

Chimneys, flag poles, satellite receiving dishes and other items similar with a width, depth or diameter of five feet or less may rise ten feet above the height limit, or five feet above the highest point of the roof, whichever is greater. If they are greater than five feet in width, depth or diameter, they are subject to the height limit.

    1. Rooftop Mechanical Equipment.

All rooftop mechanical equipment must be set back at least fifteen feet from all roof edges that are parallel to street lot lines and roof lines facing an abutting residential zone. Elevator mechanical equipment may extend up to sixteen feet above the height limit. Other rooftop mechanical equipment, which cumulatively covers no more than ten percent of the roof area, may extend ten feet above the height limit.

    1. Radio and television antennas, utility power poles and public safety facilities are exempt from the height limit except as provided in chapter 17C.355A.SMC, Wireless Communication Facilities.
  1. Special Height District

Special height districts are established to control building heights under particular circumstances such as preservation of public view or airport approaches. See chapter 17C.170 SMC, Special Height Overlay Districts and chapter 17C.180.SMC, Airfield Overlay Zones.

Date Passed: Monday, November 2, 2015

Effective Date: Monday, November 2, 2015

ORD C35312 Section 6

Section 17C.130.220 Height
  1. Purpose

The height limits are intended to control the overall scale of buildings. The height limits for sites near residential zones discourage buildings that visually dominate adjacent residential zones. Light, air, and potential for privacy are intended to be preserved in residential zones that are close to industrial zones.

  1. Height Standards

The height standards for all structures are stated in Table 17C.130.210-1. Exceptions to the maximum height standard are stated below.

    1. Maximum Height.

Exceptions to the maximum structure height are designated on the official zoning map by a dash and a height listed after the zone map symbol (i.e., CB-150). Changes to the height limits require a rezone. Height limits are thirty-five feet, forty feet, fifty-five feet, seventy feet or one hundred fifty feet depending on location.

    1. Buildings and structures for uses that are not classified as industrial uses within the Industrial Categories of Table 17C.130.210-1 and that are over fifty feet in height must follow the design, setback and dimensional standards found in chapter 17C.250 SMC, Tall Building Standards.
    1. Adjacent to Single-family and Two-family Residential Zones.

To provide a gradual transition and enhance the compatibility between the more intensive industrial zones and adjacent single-family and two-family residential zones:

      1. For all development within one hundred fifty feet of any single-family or two-family residential zone the maximum building height is as follows:
        1. Starting at a height of thirty feet at the residential zone boundary, additional building height may be added at a ratio of one to two (one foot of additional building height for every two feet of additional horizontal distance from the closest single-family or two-family residential zone). The building height transition requirement ends one hundred fifty feet from the single-family or two-family residential zone and then full building height allowed in the zone applies.

                

    1. Projections Allowed.

Chimneys, flag poles, satellite receiving dishes and other items similar with a width, depth or diameter of five feet or less may rise ten feet above the height limit, or five feet above the highest point of the roof, whichever is greater. If they are greater than five feet in width, depth or diameter, they are subject to the height limit.

    1. Rooftop Mechanical Equipment.

All rooftop mechanical equipment must be set back at least fifteen feet from all roof edges that are parallel to street lot lines and roof lines facing an abutting residential zone. Elevator mechanical equipment may extend up to sixteen feet above the height limit. Other rooftop mechanical equipment, which cumulatively covers no more than ten percent of the roof area, may extend ten feet above the height limit.

    1. Radio and television antennas, utility power poles and public safety facilities are exempt from the height limit except as provided in chapter 17C.355A.SMC, Wireless Communication Facilities.
  1. Special Height District

Special height districts are established to control building heights under particular circumstances such as preservation of public view or airport approaches. See chapter 17C.170 SMC, Special Height Overlay Districts and chapter 17C.180.SMC, Airfield Overlay Zones.

Date Passed: Monday, November 2, 2015

Effective Date: Monday, November 2, 2015

ORD C35312 Section 6