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 13
Chapter 13.11
Section 13.11.020
 

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.11 Senior or Disabled Residential Customer

Section 13.11.020 Qualifications

An applicant must qualify as an individual with an active property tax exemption (submitted and approved in accordance with RCW 84.36.379-389) on file at the Spokane County Assessor’s office for that residence.

  1. Qualifying property owners may request his/her primary residence receive a credit under the Senior or Disabled Person Residential Credit by submitting a written request to the City of Spokane, using the form prescribed and supplied by the City. If a property owner is unable to make his/her own request, it may be made by a duly authorized agent, guardian or other person charged with the care of the person or property of such person.

  2. The effective date for the credit shall be the month following the submission and acceptance of an accurate, complete, and signed request, regardless of date having received the property tax exemption on file with Spokane County. Any charges, along with any associated late penalties and interest that may have accrued for the residence prior to the effective date for the credit will still be due, as previously billed, and subject to collection in accordance with this chapter.

  3. If a qualifying customer moves to a new primary residence, he or she must submit a new request for a credit in accordance with subsection B of this section.

  4. In the event of death of a qualifying property owner, a surviving spouse may continue to receive the credit for their primary residence if:

    1. The surviving spouse has an approved request for property tax exemption at the Spokane County Assessor's office for an active property tax exemption; and

    2. If a request is not received from the surviving spouse within ninety (90) days, the residence will be billed the regular utility fees applicable to that type of residence.

  5. A qualifying property owner must maintain an active property tax exemption on file at the Spokane County Assessor’s office for his/her primary residence to continue to qualify for the credit for his/her residence.

  6. The property owner is responsible for reporting any change (e.g., change of residence, change from "active" tax exemption status, death of qualifying spouse, etc.) that may affect his/her qualifying for the credit. If the property owner fails to report any such change, the City shall have the right to pursue the billing and collection of any additional fees (the credit provided multiplied by the applicable number of months) that may be due to the City.

Date Passed: Monday, August 28, 2017

Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2018

ORD C35525 Section 3