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.122
Section 17C.122.210
 

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.122 Center and Corridor Zones

Section 17C.122.210 Height
  1. Height.

The maximum height standards for all structures are stated in Table 17C.122.200-2. The building height shall be measured using the following method (see Figure 17C.122.210-A):

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      2. Building height is the vertical distance from the average grade to the highest point of the roof or structure.
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      2. Underground portions of the structure are not included in height calculations. The height of the structure shall be calculated from the point at which the sides meet the surface of the ground.
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      2. “Average grade” means the average of the ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. Where the ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference point shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or where the lot line is more than 6 feet from the building, use the reference point between the structure and a point 6 feet from the building.
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      2. Measurements shall be taken at the existing grade or finished grade, whichever is lower.
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      2. Depressions such as window wells, stairwells for exits required by other codes, “barrier-free” ramps on grade, and vehicle access driveways into garages shall be disregarded in determining structure height when in combination they comprise less than fifty percent of the facade on which they are located. In such cases, the grade for height measurement purposes shall be a line between the grades on either side of the depression.
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      2. Public amenities allowing additional height can be found in Section 17C.122.090 Public Amenities Allowing Bonus Height.
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      2. For buildings over 70 feet tall, Chapter 17C.250 Tall Building Standards apply.

Diagram Description automatically generated

Figure 17C.122.210-A

 

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 7