Spokane Municipal Code

Title 10 Regulation of Activities

Division II. License Code

Chapter 10.57 Regulation of Residential Rental Housing

Section 10.57.040 Inspections

1. The City of Spokane’s Code Enforcement Department may conduct both periodic and cause-based inspections of all residential rental property that is subject to this chapter. 

1. 1. Periodic inspections: Subject to the limitations in RCW 59.18.125, the Director of Code Enforcement or designee may periodically select from registered properties containing rental housing units the properties to be inspected by Code Enforcement as long as the tenant of the residence consents or a lawful court-ordered warrant for inspection is secured.  The property selection process shall be based on a methodology adopted by the Director that will further the purpose of this chapter.  The inspection shall review for compliance with the standards set forth in SMC 17F.070.400 and other applicable state and local statutes. 

1. 2. In addition to periodic inspections, the Code Enforcement department is also authorized to conduct cause-based inspections, including those provided for under RCW 59.18.115.

1. 3. Code Enforcement will prioritize resources based on the level of safety sensitivity to be addressed by an inspection and available resources.

2. No fees shall be assessed to landlords or tenants for the initial inspection authorized of this section. 

1. 1. If a deficiency is discovered during the initial inspection conducted under paragraph (A)(1) of this section, Code Enforcement may schedule a second inspection to review for remedy of the deficiency and compliance with the standards set forth in SMC 17F.070.400 and other applicable state and local statutes. 

1. 2. Upon second inspection, if the deficiency is not remedied, Code Enforcement may schedule subsequent deficiency inspections and assess fees against the residential rental unit’s registrant for the additional safety inspections as established in SMC 08.02.031(S). 

1. 3. Failure to pay assessed fees will bar renewal of a residential rental unit business registration.

1. 4. At the discretion of the Director, Code Enforcement may issue notices of violation and infraction pursuant to SMC 01.05.040 for residential rental units that do not comply with the standards set forth in SMC 17F.070.400.  Additionally, the Director of designee of the Director may issue a complaint to the residential rental unit’s registrant pursuant to SMC 17F.070.420 to proceed through a building official hearing pursuant to chapter 17F.070 SMC. 

1. 5. A repeat offender is defined as the owner of residential rental unit(s) who has a confirmed non-compliance history, including any identical or similar violations of SMC 17F.070.400, Existing Building and Conservation Code, at the same site or on a different tax parcel under the same ownership, two times within a 12-month period. If an owner is found to be a repeat offender, they may be subject to a non-compliance fee of $2,500 per violation that is not resolved by the compliance timeframe listed on the Code Enforcement Notice of Violation.

3. Code Enforcement may utilize revenues received from business registrations pursuant to SMC 10.57.020, SMC 08.02.0206, and SMC 07.08.139 to:

1. 1. Create at least three additional dedicated inspector positions for residential rental housing;

1. 2. To develop and maintain the rental registry described in SMC 10.57.020. 

Date Passed: Monday, February 27, 2023

Effective Date: Sunday, April 9, 2023

ORD C36330 Section 1