Section 81: General Power

The people of Spokane in regard to local legislative matters shall have the power of direct legislation by initiative and referendum.

Effective Date: March 25, 2009
Ordinance C34385 Section 37

Section 82: The Initiative

The initiative shall be exercised in the following manner and in accordance with the general laws of the state:

  1. Petition: A petition signed by registered and qualified electors of the City, accompanied by the proposed legislation or measure in the form of a proposed ordinance, and requesting that such ordinance be submitted to a vote of the people, if not passed by the council, shall be filed with the city clerk.
  2. Action by Council Upon Petition – Fifteen Per Centum Petition: If such petition be signed by registered and qualified electors in number at least equal to fifteen per centum of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general municipal election, the city council shall either pass such ordinance without alteration, or submit it to popular vote at the next available special or general municipal election.

    Less Than Fifteen Per Centum Petition: If such petition be signed by registered and qualified electors in number at least equal to five but less than fifteen per centum of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general municipal election, the council shall either pass such ordinance without alteration or submit it to popular vote at the next available general municipal election.

Effective Date: March 25, 2009
Ordinance C34385 Section 38

Section 83: Referendum

If, prior to the date when any ordinance shall take effect, a petition signed by qualified electors in number at least equal to ten per centum of the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general municipal election shall be filed with the city clerk protesting against the enactment of such ordinance, it shall be suspended from taking effect. Thereupon the council shall reconsider such ordinance and, if it does not entirely repeal the same, shall submit it to popular vote at the next municipal election; or, the council, in its discretion, may call a special election for that purpose, and such ordinance shall not take effect unless a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon at such election shall vote in favor thereof.

Effective Date: March 25, 2009
Ordinance C34385 Section 39

Section 84: Submission by Council

  1. The council, of its own motion, may submit to popular vote for adoption or rejection at any election, any proposed ordinance or measure, in the same manner and with the same force and effect as provided in the article for submission on petition.
  2. The council shall submit to popular vote any proposed ordinance imposing or increasing the rate of a business and occupation tax, except a tax upon utilities, and no such business and occupation tax ordinance shall take effect until approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon.

Effective Date: November 1984
Ordinance C27612 Section 1

Section 85: Capital Expenditures

  1. A vote of the people shall be required for capital expenditures (excepting that no vote of the people shall be required for expenditures to provide for the necessary and legitimate expenses of the City, including maintenance and operation of existing facilities, assessments for construction of storm sewers, sanitary sewers, landfills, water mains and trunklines, street maintenance and construction, resurfacing streets, snow and ice control, and/or expenditures of an emergency nature) requiring indebtedness of the taxpayers and property owners for capital projects, including the mass burn plant for refuse disposal (waste-to-energy plant).
  2. The use of public funds for the construction of any new vehicular bridge in the Central Falls area of the Spokane River, defined in the shoreline management plan as the area between Division and Monroe Streets, including Havermale and Canada Islands, shall require an affirmative majority vote of approval by the City electors, except as otherwise provided by the constitution and laws of the state. For the purposes of this subsection, the construction of any new vehicular bridge shall not include the maintenance, resurfacing, renovation, or expansion of existing vehicular bridges.
  3. Capital expenditures for capital projects requiring a vote of the people shall include but not be limited to coliseums, convention centers, stadiums, planetariums, and new proposed projects not currently the obligation of the taxpayers and property owners.
  4. No councilmanic bonds shall be used for capital projects. Any proposal for capital expenditures submitted to the voters must designate the revenue source sought for funding of a project or projects.

Effective Date: March 25, 2009
Ordinance C34385 Section 40

Section 86: Publication of Ordinances – Notice of Election

The city clerk shall publish every proposed or referred ordinance in each number of the Official Gazette issued within fifteen days before the date of the election; and shall give such other notices and do such other things relative to such election, as may be required by law.

Effective Date: November 1984
Ordinance C27612 Section 1

Section 87: Adoption of Ordinances

If a majority of the qualified electors voting on any proposed ordinance or measure shall vote in favor thereof the same shall thereupon, or at a time fixed therein, become effective as a law or as a mandatory order to the council.

Effective Date: November 1984
Ordinance C27612 Section 1

Section 89: Repeal or Amendment of Ordinances Passed by the People

No ordinance which has been passed by the council upon a petition, or adopted by popular vote, under the provisions of this article, shall be repealed or amended within three years, except by popular vote. After three years, the council may pass an amendatory or repealing ordinance by a vote of one more than a majority. Any such ordinance shall be subject to referendum.

Effective Date: November 1984
Ordinance C27612 Section 1

Section 90: Number of Elections

There shall not be held under this article more than one special election in any period of six months.

Effective Date: November 1984
Ordinance C27612 Section 1

Section 91: Regulations by Council

The council, by ordinance, may make other and further regulations for carrying out the provisions of this article not inconsistent herewith.

Effective Date: November 1984
Ordinance C27612 Section 1