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 17C
Chapter 17C.123
Section 17C.123.060
 

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.123 Form Based Code Zones

Section 17C.123.060 Streetscape Requirements

This section of the Hamilton Form-Based Code (FBC) identifies features and specifications for area streets and alley. The standards work to establish the type of active, economically vibrant public realm sought by the area community, balancing vehicular access with the safety and convenience of transit, walking, biking, and rolling.

  1. Streetscape Requirements.

Required streetscape features and dimensions of those elements are identified in Table 17C.123.050-1.

Table 17C.123.060-1

Streetscape Requirements [1]

 

CA1

Shopfront

Alley

Sidewalks

Overall Width (each side)

12 ft.

N/A

Type

4’ x 2’ scored concrete

N/A

Clear Pedestrian Zone

7 ft. [2]

N/A

Buffer Zone (each side) [3]

5 ft.

N/A

Street Furnishings

Lighting, types [4]

P

P

V

Planting, types [5]

S

S/M

N/A

Benches [6] [7]

R

R

N/A

Trash receptacles [6] [7]

R

R

N/A

Bicycle parking [6] [7]

N/R

R

N/A

[1] See City of Spokane Department of Engineering Design Standards for additional specifications.

[2] Along Columbus Street, a 10-foot wide Clear Pedestrian Zone is required.

[3] A reduced width may be permitted with an approved alternative planting system, such as modular suspended pavement systems, with the approval of Urban Forestry.

[4] “P” = Pedestrian scale; “V” = Vehicle scale

[5] “S” = Street trees; “M” = Median planting

[6] “R” = Required; “N/R” = Not required

[7] Buildings less than 10,000 sf. are encouraged to include such amenities but are not required.

 

Diagram Description automatically generated

Figure 17C.123.050-A

Desired Frontage Characteristics.

  1. Sidewalks.

The composition and color of sidewalks shall be as described in Table 17C.123.050-1 and shall be continued as they cross-vehicular driveways (See Figure 17C.123.050-B).

  1. When the existing sidewalk width is less than 12 feet, structures shall be allowed no closer than 12 feet from the back of the curb.
  2. When the existing sidewalk width is greater than the bare minimum of 12 feet, the existing sidewalk width shall not be reduced or encroached upon by new development.
  1. Street Furnishings.

Street furnishings including light poles, benches, and trash receptacles shall be placed between tree locations within the Planting Zone. Street furnishings shall not impede the clear view triangle. Street furnishings required in Table 17C.123.050-1 are to be provided as follows:

  1. Planting.

Street trees must be installed and maintained by the adjacent property in all streets bordering development. Generally, street trees should be spaced on average 25 feet apart. At a minimum, street trees shall provide a continuous row of City-approved trees spaced according to mature canopy size, plus one or more types of City-approved ground cover. Additional requirements for landscaping are stated in chapter 17C.200 SMC, Landscaping and Screening.

  1. Lighting.

City-approved Traditional Series pedestrian scale lighting as shown in Figure 17C.123.050-C (flower basket optional) shall be provided and spaced at an average 50 to 60 feet apart, generally midway between required street trees and centered thirty-six (36”) from the curb to ensure a uniform distance from the street edge along the entire street.

 

Diagram Description automatically generated

Figure 17C.123.050-C

  1. Bicycle Parking.

Bicycle parking is encouraged where the requirement for the Planting Zone and Clear Pedestrian Zone can be met. Bicycle parking provided in the streetscape can contribute to requirements in SMC 17C.230.200.

  1. Temporary Encroachments.

Temporary and intermittent sidewalk encroachments including café seating, planters, ramps, steps, and sandwich board signs may be located in the Planting Zone without restriction, or in the Clear Pedestrian Zone provided a pathway of at least six (6) feet wide remains free of such obstructions (See Figure 17C.123.050-D).

Figure 17C.123.050-D – Temporary sidewalk encroachments are 
allowed in the Planting Zone, or in the Clear Pedestrian Zone as per Table 17C.123.050-1.
  1. City approved benches and trash receptacles shall be provided for all buildings larger than 10,000 sf. Buildings less than this size are encouraged to include such amenities.

 

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36553 Section 6