City to Update Street Design Standards

Citizens Invited to Weigh In on the Process

Marlene Feist, Public Works, (509) 625-6505


Monday, August 17, 2020 at 1:19 p.m.


The City of Spokane is preparing to update its Street Design Standards that guide and govern the development, redevelopment and reconstruction of facilities built in the public right of way.

The update will include changes to Chapter 3 of the City’s Design Standards and related amendments to the Spokane Municipal Code (SMC). The changes will include current best practices across the nation for streets. In particular, new best practices will bring the design of pedestrian and bicycle facilities up to standards for better serving users of all ages and abilities. These standards also promote continuity and networking of the City's streets and sidewalks as well as the integration of utilities that share right-of-way space.

Many of these standard practices have been used in recent years for city projects, with notable examples on East Sprague Avenue and North Monroe Street. Examples of proposed updates include narrower lanes, shorter crosswalk distances, and wider sidewalks, all of which provide a strong transition from driving along the street to parking and walking to final destinations.

Multiple opportunities to receive information and engage in the adoption process are planned. The schedule anticipates a public hearing before the City of Spokane Plan Commission in early September 2020, and a public hearing before Spokane City Council in October 2020.

Visit https://my.spokanecity.org/projects/street-design-standards-update/ for more information, including project background, links to the City’s current standards, proposed amendments to Chapter 3 of the Design Standards and SMC, SEPA information, the project timeline, and more. The project page will be updated throughout the process so citizens can return to this page for updates and to sign up to receive email notifications about the project.