Boards & Commissions

Design Review Board

Dissolved by: Ordinance C36830 and SMC 17G.041 passed by City Council on February 9, 2026.

Per Ordinance C36830 passed by City Council on February 9, 2026, the Design Review Board has been dissolved effective March 11, 2026. The design review process will be integrated into the Plan Commission through the creation of the Plan Commission Design Review Subcommittee.

Further information, agendas, and materials related to design review can be found on the Plan Commission Design Review Subcommittee webpage.

Authorized by: Ordinance SMC 4.12.05, .030, .040 on March 27, 1994; and Ordinance C34527 Section 3, Section 04.13.015 Design Review Board effective January 16, 2010.

Mission Statement/Purpose: The Design Review Board is comprised of citizens and practicing professionals who represent community interests including a diversity of design and technical professions. Board members are nominated by the Mayor, appointed by City Council, and serve without compensation. The Board was established to do the following:

• Improve communication and participation among developers, neighbors, and the City early in the design and siting of new development subject to design review under the Spokane Municipal Code;
• Ensure that projects subject to design review under the Spokane Municipal Code are consistent with adopted design guidelines and help implement the City's comprehensive plan;
• Advocate for the aesthetic quality of Spokane's public realm;
• Encourage design and site planning that responds to context, enhances pedestrian characteristics, considers sustainable design practices, and helps make Spokane a desirable place to live, work, and visit;
• Provide flexibility in the application of development standards as allowed through development standard departures; and
• Ensure that public facilities and projects within the City's right-of-way:
  1. Wisely allocate the City's resources,
  2. Serve as models of design quality.

Meeting Recordings

General Documents

Advisory Actions and Recommendations

Agendas

Minutes