While there are many studies and projects in progress that will inform Comprehensive Plan updates through PlanSpokane 2046, a big part of any periodic update is a review and assessment of the many existing goals and policies within the document. Known as Chapter Review, the Chapters of the Comprehensive Plan are being updated to address state requirements and community feedback, as well as streamlined to improve usability.
Draft Chapters of the Comprehensive Plan are now out for public review. These drafts have been updated based on legislative requirements, community engagement, public comments, and direction from the Spokane Plan Commission. The drafts of the Chapters can be found below.
An additional release is expected later this summer, which will include all Chapters and their relevant maps and graphics, along with potential language updates based on feedback.
Members of the public can submit comments at any time to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org. The public is encouraged to include the Chapter name and Goal/Policy number(s) as applicable.
The Comprehensive Plan is made up of 14 Chapters covering a wide range of topics that support the community's growth for the next 20 years. For ease of review, the Chapters were broken into three categories: Non-Technical, Technical, and Functional.
The Non-Technical Chapter category includes chapters that rely more on community feedback and policy direction than modeling or higher levels of analysis. The chapters are broken into thematic categories – Community, Environment, and How We Grow. Initial drafts of these Chapters were first released in June 2025 and later updated in October 2025.
The Technical Chapter category includes chapters that rely on data analysis and more technical decision making. These chapters also rely on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and the selection of a Preferred Alternative before policy changes can be considered.
The Functional Chapter category includes chapters that support the rest of the Comprehensive Plan. Edits to these chapters are largely dependent on the rest of the document.
The Introduction is a Functional Chapter that provides context for the rest of plan, explaining the City of Spokane's history, planning context, and vision statement. The Chapter also provides an understanding of what a Comprehensive Plan is and how to use the document.
Implementation is a Functional Chapter that provides considerations for the state-mandated 5-year check-in of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as other topics to be considered for periodic monitoring and tracking. This Chapter is not yet available, awaiting additional guidance on state requirements, with a first public draft expected for the late summer release.
Previously called Land Use, Growth Strategy is a Technical Chapter that provides direction for the growth strategy of the City of Spokane for the next 20 years, identifying Land Use designations to meet that strategy, and capturing other considerations for how land is used and served within city limits. This Chapter includes the reframing of the existing Centers and Corridors growth strategy to what is now called Urban Hubs and supporting mixed-use development throughout the City. Development of the Future Land Use Map and the Urban Hubs Map is underway and will be available in the late summer release of the chapters.
Transportation is a Technical Chapter that sets out the transportation priorities of the City of Spokane and identifies regional partners to coordinate with to meet the needs of current and future residents, employees, business-owners, and visitors. The Chapter includes discussion around supporting varied and efficient forms of transportation, as well as transparent project prioritization processes in the development of capital projects and programs.
Capital Facilities and Utilities is a Technical Chapter that considers how the City provides services that are essential to a community and its ability to grow. Capital facilities include water systems, sanitary sewer systems, stormwater facilities, reclaimed water facilities, schools, parks and recreational facilities, and police and fire protection facilities. In addition to the Chapter, a Capital Facilities Plan, which is a 20-year plan outlining level of service standards and identifying current and future capital investments needed to meet them, is under development.
Housing is a Technical Chapter that addresses the existing and future housing needs of Spokane's diverse and growing community. The Housing Chapter includes a housing strategy of increasing housing supply, retaining existing housing, expanding socioeconomic diversity, addressing racially disparate impacts, and reducing displacement risk.
Previously called Economic Development, Economic Prosperity is a Non-Technical Chapter that works to strengthen local businesses, support workforce development, and provide access to improved well-being and quality of life. Key themes include cooperative partnerships, reuse and environmental remediation, resilient and sustainable economies, workforce development, the creative economy, and tourism.
Urban Design and Historical Preservation is a Non-Technical Chapter that considers how buildings and public spaces play a role in creating a sense of place, supporting a city's ability to meet the needs of its residents, and establishing the general quality of life. The Chapter separates Urban Design and Historic Preservation goals and policies, with newly proposed goals of Sustainable Development and Inclusive Design.
Natural Environment is a Non-Technical Chapter that addresses the natural environment of the City of Spokane and the surrounding region. The Chapter includes topics such as rivers, wetlands, the urban forest, nature areas, the aquifer, clean air and water, shorelines, trails, energy efficiency, agricultural lands, the economy, and wildlife.
Previously called Social Health, Community Health is a Non-Technical Chapter that identifies ways the City can support the health and overall wellbeing of the community, including through providing services and supporting community collaboration. Key themes include supportive facilities, public art, celebrating Spokane's many cultures, public safety and criminal justice, food access and security, and emergency management.
Neighborhoods is a Non-Technical Chapter that sets direction for citywide neighborhood growth and development. The Chapter includes goals and policies around neighborhood geographic boundaries, as well as established Neighborhood Councils. Additional guidance for Neighborhood Councils can be found in the Local Governance Through Civic Participation Chapter.
Parks and Recreation is a Non-Technical Chapter that supports opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment of natural features and landscaping provided by parks and open spaces. Key topics include parks, trails, maintenance and funding, and resiliency.
Previously called Local Governance and Citizenship, Local Governance Through Civic Participation is a Non-Technical Chapter that addresses how the City supports community members to be active participants in decision-making processes. This Chapter includes key topics such as Planning Through Neighborhood Councils and Tribal and Urban Native Collaboration.
While a topic of discussion, no changes to the Shorelines Chapter are currently proposed. The Chapter must be updated by 2031 to meet state requirements, at which time the Chapter will be updated to the PlanSpokane 2046 template and formatting.
The Glossary provides additional information on terms used in the Comprehensive Plan, ensuring everyone reading and applying the goals and policies within the document have the same frame of reference and understanding.
The Comprehensive Plan looks to a horizon of 20 years, creating a long-term plan to shape the City’s built and natural environment and providing the overall scheme of city development – the major land uses, transportation systems, parks and open spaces, and areas for commercial and employment opportunities. The Plan provides direction for future decisions that is intended to:
More information about the Comprehensive Plan and PlanSpokane 2046 Periodic Update can be found at the PlanSpokane video series webpage.
The vision statement of a Comprehensive Plan creates the roadmap for goals and policies. Currently, there are individual visual statements that guide each chapter. The PlanSpokane 2046 update will include removing individual statements and instead embracing one vision statement to guide the overall document. The draft vision statement below was created through robust engagement with the community and has helped guide proposed goals and policies.
“Spokane aims to foster a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive city by supporting economic growth, environmental stewardship, and the diverse needs of the whole community. The City is dedicated to ensuring access to attainable housing, safe streets, and thriving neighborhoods while inspiring innovation, cultural vitality, and connection for all Spokane residents.”
To assist in the review of the existing Comprehensive Plan chapters, the chapters have been organized into thematic groups that help community members learn how the various goals and policies affect the City of Spokane. Each group will get a closer look by staff, the Plan Commission, and of course, the public. Additionally, Climate Planning efforts are occurring through a separate process, as funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Policy discussion is expected late 2026 through early 2027, with climate and resiliency related policies being integrated into the overall Comprehensive Plan afterwards.
Some chapter groups will require much more work than others. The Technical Chapters require the heaviest lift this time around, and are likely the last to be updated. In many cases, those chapters must wait while technical and planning studies are completed—such as the Division Transit Oriented Development project or the Hillyard SubArea Plan. These efforts will be wrapping up in the summer of 2025, and then work on the Technical Chapters will begin. The technical chapters will require much more work to update and edits to these chapters aren't likely to be released until Spring 2026.
Some chapter groups will require much more work than others. The Technical Chapters rely on data analysis, technical decision making, and the Environmental Impact Statement process, all of which require the heaviest lift this time around and are likely the last to be updated. In many cases, those chapters must wait while technical and planning studies are completed—such as the Division Transit Oriented Development project or the Hillyard SubArea Plan. These efforts will be wrapped up in the summer of 2025, and then work on the Technical Chapters will begin. The technical chapters will require much more work to update and edits to these chapters aren’t likely to be released until Spring 2026.
All of the various efforts related to PlanSpokane 2046 must be woven together into a cohesive group later in the process—so that the City can consider the updated Comprehensive Plan as a whole and not as a collection of disconnected parts. In general, the non-technical chapters and the racially disparate impacts and displacement work will be available as a first public draft in late 2025. Those topics, in addition to the Climate and Resiliency work and technical chapters, will be available as a full public draft in the beginning of 2026, after the Preferred Alternative for Spokane’s future growth is selected.
PlanSpokane 2046 will not be creating an entirely new Comprehensive Plan. Rather, the intent is to pay homage to the existing plan and the work and input by so many in the past, while simultaneously making it a plan of today, for tomorrow—one that is easier to read, containing less cumbersome language. The hope is to have a new plan that incorporates the best of the old plan while simultaneously taking advantage of new information, plans, and policies. Specifically, the Chapter Review is being conducted according to the following goals:
The Spokane Plan Commission Chapter Review Subcommittee was created for the study and consideration of certain proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan as part of the overall PlanSpokane 2046 periodic review process. More information can be found on the Chapter Review Subcommittee webpage.
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City of Spokane
Department of Planning Services
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org
509.625.6500
In Spokane
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