Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.111 Residential Zones

Section 17C.111.235 Setbacks

1. Purpose.

The setback standards for primary and accessory structures serve several purposes. They maintain light, air, separation for fire protection, and access for fire fighting. They reflect the general building scale and placement of houses in the City’s neighborhoods. They promote options for privacy for neighboring properties. They provide adequate flexibility to site a building so that it may be complementary to the neighborhood, fit the topography of the site, allow for required outdoor areas, and allow for architectural diversity. They provide room for a car to park in front of a garage door without overhanging the street or sidewalk, and they enhance driver visibility when backing onto the street.

2. Applicability.

1. 1. Setbacks are applied to all primary and accessory structures, including Accessory Dwelling Units. Setbacks for structures are applied relative to property lines. Separation between multiple structures on a lot is governed by the requirements of Title 17F SMC. Child lots created via Unit Lot Subdivision under Section 17G.080.065 SMC are only subject to the standards of this section inasmuch as they are applied to the parent lot.

1. 2. Additional setback requirements may be applied through other sections of Title 17C SMC, including but not limited to:

1. 1. 1. Parking areas under Chapter 17C.230 SMC

1. 1. 2. Fences under Section 17C.111.230 SMC

1. 1. 3. Signs under Chapter 17C.240 SMC

3. Front, Side, and Rear Setbacks.

The required Front, Side, and Rear Setbacks for primary and accessory structures are stated in Table 17C.111.205-2. Angled setback standards are described in SMC 17C.111.235(E) and listed in Table 17C.111.235-1.

1. Extensions into Front, Side, and Rear Building Setbacks.

1. Minor features of a structure such as eaves, awnings, chimneys, fire escapes, bay windows and uncovered balconies may extend into a Front, Side, Rear Setback up to twenty-four (24) inches.

2. Bays, bay windows, and uncovered balconies may extend into the Front, Side, and Rear Setback up to twenty-four (24) inches, subject to the following requirements:

1. 1. Each bay, bay window, and uncovered balcony may be up to twelve (12) feet long.

1. 2. The total area of all bays and bay windows on a building facade shall not be more than thirty percent (30%) of the area of the facade.

1. 3. Bays and bay windows that project into the setback must cantilever beyond the foundation of the building; and

1. 4. The bay shall not include any doors.

4. Exceptions to the Front, Side, and Rear Setbacks.

1. 1. The rear yard of a lot established as of May 27, 1929, may be reduced to provide a building depth of thirty (30) feet.

5. Angled Setbacks.

1. Purpose.

To help new development respond to the scale and form of existing residential areas and to limit the perceived bulk and scale of buildings from adjoining properties.

2. Applicability.

Angled setbacks apply in the R1 and R2 zones.

3. Angled Setback Implementation.

Buildings are subject to an angled setback plane as follows:

1. 1. Starting at a height of 25 feet, the setback plane increases along a slope of 2:1 (a rate of 2 feet vertically for every 1 foot horizontally) away from the interior side setback, up to the maximum building height in Table 17C.111.205-2. The minimum setbacks that are paired with each height measurement are provided in Table 17C.111.235-1. See Figure 17C.111.235-A for examples.

1. 2. No portion of the building shall project beyond the Angled Setback plane described in this subsection, except as follows:

1. 1. 1. Minor extensions allowed by SMC 17C.111.235(C)(1) may project into the Angled Setback.

1. 1. 2. Elements of the roof structure such as joists, rafters, flashing, and shingles may project into the Angled Setback.

1. 1. 3. Dormer windows may project into the Angled Setback if the cumulative length of dormer windows is no more than fifty percent (50%) of the length of the roof line.

         Figure 17C.111.235-A. Angled Setback Plane Examples

         

         TABLE 17C.111.235-1 ROOF SETBACK FROM SIDE LOT LINE ON LOTS IN R1 and R2 ZONES
         LOT WIDTHS 40 FT. OR LESS
         Height	Setback
         25 ft.	3 ft.
         27 ft.	4 ft.
         29 ft.	5 ft.
         31 ft.	6 ft.
         33 ft.	7 ft.
         35 ft.	8 ft.
         40 ft.	10.5 ft.
         LOT WIDTHS MORE THAN 40 FT.
         Height	Setback
         25 ft.	5 ft.
         27 ft.	6 ft.
         29 ft.	7 ft.
         31 ft.	8 ft.
         33 ft.	9 ft.
         35 ft.	10 ft.
         40 ft.	12.5 ft.

Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2024

ORD C36459 Section 16