KayCee Downey, Senior Planner, 509.625.6500
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 10:17 a.m.
The City of Spokane is undertaking a comprehensive update of Title 17 of the Spokane Municipal Code (i.e. the Spokane Development Code), which governs zoning, land use, and development review processes. Recent legislation, state mandates, and regional planning initiatives – along with years of piecemeal adjustments to the existing Title 17 - necessitate a holistic examination of the Development Code.
BUILDSpokane represents the first holistic update to the regulations in many years and is intended to:
BUILDSpokane is progressing in tandem with the City's ongoing Comprehensive Plan update, PlanSpokane 2046, to ensure that both meet the state of Washington's continuing review requirements for comprehensive land use plans and development regulations and ensure the City’s regulatory framework enables Spokane to achieve its long-term goals.
The Spokane Development Code is a set of regulations that govern development within the community, outlining rules for allowed uses, building standards, subdivision of land, and other elements of the built environment. It affects both the what and the how of what can be built within the city, including building setbacks, height limitations, lot coverage, and landscaping requirements.
Once development regulations are adopted, projects that meet those standards are approved to be built. Because of this, community members are encouraged to provide feedback during the writing of these rules, even before they may see development happening.
BUILDSpokane kicked off with an assessment stage, understanding the current Development Code, how it is used, and ways to remove barriers to desired development in the city. The Spokane Development Code Assessment is now available and identifies key issues and potential directions for change.
With the assessment in hand, the project has conducted internal City discussions and stakeholder meetings with developers and other regular users of the Development Code to understand what is working and what may need improvement. These conversations have helped inform initial work on the process and procedures portion of the project – the regulations that determine how development applications are reviewed and approved.
The next phase of BUILDSpokane includes drafting potential code amendments. The first module being drafted is the process and procedures section mentioned above. Over the coming weeks, the City and consultant team will begin sharing and discussing the draft procedures module with community members, development professionals, City staff, and other interested parties. These meetings are intended to introduce the proposed framework and provide an overview of the recommended approach before the draft module is released for broader review on the project website.
Future phases of BUILDSpokane will focus on zoning districts, allowed uses, development standards, and related implementation measures. Additional opportunities for review and feedback will be available following release of the draft modules, so keep an eye out for future ways to be involved.
Stay informed! BUILDSpokane is highlighted in the monthly PlanSpokane newsletter. Sign up for email updates to stay up to date on the latest developments.
Learn more at the BUILDSpokane webpage.
For questions or comments, you can reach out to the project team at DevelopmentCode@spokanecity.org.
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