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.130
Section 17C.130.230
 

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.130 Industrial Zones

Section 17C.130.230 Setbacks and Sidewalks
  1. Purpose.

The required structure setbacks promote streetscapes that are consistent with the desired character of the different industrial zones. The setback requirements for areas that abut single-family residential zones promote commercial development that will maintain light, air, and the potential for privacy for adjacent single-family residential zones. The sidewalk standards provide a continuous, safe, and consistent street frontage character along the street right-of-way.

  1. Setback and Required Sidewalk Width Standards.

The setback standards for all structures are stated in Table 17C.130.210-1, Industrial Zones Development Standards, and as stated below.

    1. Structures shall be no closer than twelve feet from the back of the curb except as provided in subsection (B)(3) of this section.
    1. Sidewalks are required to be constructed and shall consist of a clear walking path at least five feet wide (in addition to a planting zone for street trees per SMC 17C.200.050). Part or all of the sidewalk width may be located on private property. The sidewalk dimension shall be applied to the clear, unobstructed pathway between the planting zone behind the curb and building facades or parking lot screening.

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  1. The required sidewalk width may be reduced by approval of the planning and economic development services director if the existing sidewalk (distance between the curb and the building) is less than twelve feet wide between the back of curb and the existing building setback line of adjacent building(s). In no case shall the setback be reduced below nine feet from the back of the curb unless on-street parking exists between the building and the street.
  1. Unless otherwise required or where larger plaza areas are provided, sidewalk-paving material shall be concrete, two-foot grid, standard sidewalk color and float finish.
  1. Pervious concrete may be used in the design and construction of sidewalks, where feasible.
  1. Exceptions to the Setback Standards.
    1. Where a site is split between more than one zone and a structure is proposed that will cross an internal lot line that is also a zoning line, no setbacks are required from that lot line.
    1. Detached Accessory Structures.

The setback standards for detached accessory structures are stated in SMC 17C.130.300. Fences are addressed in SMC 17C.130.310. Sign standards are in chapter 17C.240 SMC, Signs.

  1. Extensions into Required Structure Setbacks.

The following features attached to structures are allowed as exceptions to the setback standards except they shall not reduce the required sidewalk width of SMC 17C.130.230.

    1. Minor Projections of Features Attached to Structures.
      1. Minor Projections Allowed.

Minor features of a structure, such as eaves, chimneys, fire escapes, bay windows, uncovered stairways, wheelchair ramps, and uncovered decks or balconies may extend into a required structure setback up to twenty percent of the depth of the setback. However, they may not be within three feet of a lot line when a setback is required. Bays and bay windows extending into the setback also must meet the following requirements:

        1. Each bay and bay window may be up to twelve feet long, but the total area of all bays and bay windows on a building facade cannot be more than thirty percent of the area of the facade.
        1. At least thirty percent of the area of the bay which faces the property line requiring the setback must be glazing or glass block.
        1. Bays and bay windows must cantilever beyond the foundation of the structure; and
        1. The bay may not include any doors.
      1. Full Projection Allowed.

In addition to subsection (D)(1)(a) of this section, the following features are allowed to project farther into required structure setbacks:

        1. Canopies, marquees, awnings, and similar features may fully extend into a street setback and may extend into the public right-of-way subject to the requirements of SMC 17F.040.140.
        1. Uncovered stairways and wheelchair ramps that lead to one entrance on the street-facing facade of a building may fully extend into a street setback.
        1. Uncovered decks and stairways that are no more than forty-two inches above the ground may fully extend into a required structure setback; and
        1. On lots that slope down from the street, vehicular and pedestrian entry bridges that are no more than forty-two inches above the average sidewalk elevation may fully extend into a required structure setback.
        1. Balconies may extend into public rights-of-way as allowed in the building code.
      1. Projections Not Allowed.

Attached mechanical structures such as heat pumps, air conditioners, emergency generators, and water pumps are allowed in a street setback but not in a required setback from an abutting residential zone.

    1. Underground structures are permitted in all setbacks.

Date Passed: Monday, August 26, 2013

Effective Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2013

ORD C34961 Section 6