City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 12
Chapter 12.02
Section 12.02.1001
 

Title 12 Public Ways and Property

Chapter 12.02 Obstruction, Encroachment of Public Ways

Article VI. Protection of Public Lands and Properties

Section 12.02.1001 Definitions

 

For purposes of Title 12 of this code, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth in this article unless a different meaning is expressly set forth elsewhere in the title:

 

Term

Definition

Camp

Camp means to:

  1. pitch, erect, occupy, or utilize camp equipment for the purposes of creating an outdoor accommodation or for overnight shelter; or
  1. to use a camper, recreational vehicle, trailer, or other vehicle for living accommodation purposes, or for the purpose of remaining overnight.

Camp Equipment

Camp Equipment includes but is not limited to tents, huts, temporary shelters, campers, recreational vehicles, trailers, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks, cooking facilities, or similar equipment.

Encampment

Encampment means a site on public property where one or more individuals or groups of persons temporarily reside outdoors with camp equipment; whether or not occupied.

First Responder

First Responders mean firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel, as licensed or certificated by the State of Washington.

Knowingly

Pursuant to RCW 9A.08.010, a person knows or acts knowingly or with knowledge when:

  1. He or she is aware of facts or circumstances which constitute a violation of SMC 12.02.1007(A) regardless of whether the person is aware of the facts or circumstances violate the ordinance; or
  1. He or she has facts or circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that facts or circumstances are a violation of SMC 12.02.1007(A).

Obstruct

Obstruct means to:

Walk, stand, sit, lie, or place an object in any manner that occupies any portion of public property that may impede the free passage in the area by any person or vehicle or to require another person or a driver of a vehicle to take action to avoid physical contact.

Park or Park Facility

Park or Park Facility means any real property, building, structure, equipment, sign, shelter, swimming pool, vegetation, playground, or other physical property owned or controlled by the City for park purposes. Park or park facility includes all associated areas, including but not limited to parking lots for parks and pools. All park property, whether developed or undeveloped, including adjacent buffer lands, conservation lands, and natural areas, shall be considered to be a “park facility” for purposes of this chapter.  

Public Property

Public Property means any City-owned property, including but not limited to parks or park facilities, libraries, riverbanks, waterways, conservation areas, natural areas, rights of way, easements, buildings, bridges, or other land or physical structures owned or managed by the City.

Right-of-Way

Right-of-Way means any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk, alley, passageway, bridge, roadway, fire lane, median, stairway, pedestrian buffer strip, plaza as defined in SMC 17A.020.160, viaduct, or other thoroughfare, whether abutting public or private property, used for vehicular or pedestrian travel.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Passed: Monday, October 27, 2025

Effective Date: Monday, October 27, 2025

ORD C36785 Section 3