June 27 City Council Approval: Accessory Dwelling Units, Lot Size Transition, and Short Plats
Spokane has been working for years to address housing need while preserving community character and livability. To make changes based on the well-informed strategies in the Spokane Housing Action Plan (HAP), the City has identified several code amendments that could be adopted as changes to the Spokane Municipal Code. The proposed changes have been guided by Mayor Woodward's July 26, 2021 Housing Emergency Proclamation and the City Council's HAP Implementation Plan.
Phase 1 code changes directly acted on strategies listed in the Housing Action Plan. Phase 1 increased flexibility of development standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), removed the Lot Size Transition requirement that forced some lots to be larger than required, and modified Short Plat notification requirements in addition to reducing application fees.
The Shaping Spokane Housing program kicked off in November of 2021, and initially proposed changes that would increase housing supply, variety, and affordability by allowing greater flexibility for developing attached homes (townhomes) and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), as well as development regulations to encourage construction of duplexes, in addition to improvements to codified permit processes.
Code changes related to attached homes, duplexes, and design standards were folded into the Building Opportunity and Choices for All interim zoning ordinance that City Council approved on July 18, 2022. The Housing Action Plan Code Changes Phase 2 focus on changes to environmental reviews required under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and how the City regulates short-term rentals.
Increase flexibility of development and design standards for Accessory Dwelling Units.
Remove requirement to encourage construction of more housing.
Streamline the notification and commenting period and reduce the Preliminary and Final Short Plat application fees.
Follow the video links to view and listen to recordings of the Plan Commission workshop presentations and discussion.
Emailed announcement about the Shaping Spokane Housing project.
The City of Spokane Planning Services department hosted two virtual open houses to provide information about the code amendments. The question and answer portions are included.
City of Spokane
Department of Planning Services
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
509.625.6500
Amanda Beck, AICP
Assistant Planner II
abeck@spokanecity.org
509.625.6414
