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 03
Chapter 03.01B
Section 03.01B.010
 

Title 03 Administration and Personnel

Chapter 03.01B Executive and Administration

Article I. Administrative Branch

Section 03.01B.010 Administrative Divisions Defined and Established

 

  1. A City of Spokane administrative division is an organizational unit with administrative responsibility over two or more administrative departments focused on providing accountable, efficient, and effective City services within a general functional area of City government. An administrative division shall consist of no more than two employees exempt from civil service. Except as otherwise provided, the administrative divisions listed in this chapter shall have all the rights and powers granted and duties imposed by authority of the laws of the state and the charter and ordinances of the City now existing or subsequently adopted, subject to the general supervision and control of the Mayor.
  1. Administrative divisions may promulgate public rules in the form and manner set forth in Chapter 3.14 of the Spokane Municipal Code.
  1. Pursuant to Section 24 of the City of Spokane Charter, the Mayor appoints all administrative heads and assistant administrative heads of each division. The appointment of the administrative head of each division is subject to approval by the Spokane City Council.  A resolution approving the appointment shall be placed on the City Council’s agenda within thirty (30) calendar days of the appointment. Any person appointed by the Mayor as an administrative head of a division in an interim or acting capacity may serve up to 180 calendar days and may be extended for up to an additional 180 calendar days by City Council resolution. Any interim appointment shall be deemed terminated 180 days after the initial interim appointment or the city council’s extension of the initial interim appointment, as applicable.
  1. The City of Spokane consists of the following divisions:

City of Spokane

Administrative Divisions

Communications and Marketing

Community and Economic Development

Finance and Administration

Housing and Human Services

Public Works

Spokane Police

Transportation and Sustainability

  1. The City of Spokane consists of two divisions that are administered concurrently by an appointed board:

Board-governed Divisions

Governing Board

Spokane Parks and Recreation

Spokane Park Board

Spokane Public Library

Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees

 

Date Passed: Monday, January 12, 2026

Effective Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026

ORD C36795 Section 3