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.123
Section 17C.123.050
 

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.123 Form Based Code Zones

Section 17C.123.050 Streetscape Requirements

This section identifies features and specifications for commercial and residential streets and alleys within FBC Limits, keyed to the street types identified in the Street Section Plan and to Shopfront Street areas noted on the Regulating Plan. These criteria work to establish the type of active, economically vibrant public realm sought by the community, balancing vehicular access with the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other non-motorized modes of travel.

  1. Streetscape Requirements.
    Required streetscape features and dimensions of those elements are identified in Table 17C.123.050-1.

 

Table 17C.123.050-1 Streetscape Requirements [1]

 

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

Type 4

Alley

Sidewalks

 

 

 

 

 

Overall Width (each side)

12' to 22’

12’

12'

12’

N/A

Type

A

A

A

A

N/A

Clear Pedestrian Zone

7’

7’

7’

7’

N/A

Planting Zone (each side) [2]

5’

5’

5’

5’

N/A

Street Furnishings

 

 

 

 

 

Lighting, types

P [3]

P[3]

P[3]

P[3]

V

Planting, types

S

S/M

S/M

S

N/A

Benches

R

R

R

N/R

N/A

Trash receptacles

R

R

R

N/R

N/A

Bicycle parking

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/A

[1] See City of Spokane Department of Engineering Design Standards for additional specifications.
[2] Minimum size; Existing tree lawn widths vary on Type 2, 3 and 4 Streets. Additional setbacks, if any, should match existing tree lawn widths in the CA-4 zone. Please see 17C.200 for additional street tree requirements.
[3] See Figure 17C.123.050-B (below) for Pedestrian-Scale Lighting Standards
Parking Stall types: “A” = 8.5’ W x 18’ L parallel stalls; “B” = 9’ W x 16’ L angled stalls, back-in (60°?)
Sidewalk types: "A" = 4' x 2' scored concrete
Lighting types: “P” = Pedestrian scale; “V” = Vehicle scale
Planting types: “S” = Street trees; “M” = Median planting
Benches, Trash receptacles, Bicycle parking: “R” = Required; “N/R” = Not required

 

Figure 17C.123.050-A – Desired Frontage Characteristics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Sidewalks.
    The composition and color of sidewalks shall be as described in Table 17C.123.050-1, and shall be continued as they cross-vehicular driveways (See Figure 17C.123.050-E).

    1. When the existing sidewalk width is less than 12 feet structures shall be allowed no closer than 12 feet from the back of the curb.

    2. When the existing sidewalk width is greater than the bare minimum of 12 feet the sidewalk environment shall be designed to meet the intent of the Street Type designation of the street. Existing sidewalk width shall not be reduced or encroached upon by new development.

  2. Street Furnishings, Placement.
    Street furnishings including light poles, benches, and trash receptacles shall be placed between tree locations within the Planting Zone. Street furnishings shall not impede the clear view triangle. Temporary and intermittent sidewalk encroachments including café seating, planters, ramps, steps, and sandwich board signs may be located in the Planting Zone without restriction, or in the Clear Pedestrian Zone provided a pathway of at least six (6) feet wide remains free of such obstructions (See Figure 17C.123.050-F). Bicycle parking is encouraged where the requirement for the Planting Zone and Clear Pedestrian Zone can be met. Bicycle parking provided in the streetscape can contribute to requirements in SMC 17C.230.200(1)(b). Street furnishings required in Table 17C.123.050-1 are to be provided in all Context Areas as follows:

    1. Planting – Street trees must be installed and maintained by the adjacent property in all streets bordering development. Generally, street trees should be spaced on average 25 feet apart. At a minimum, street trees shall provide a continuous row of City-approved trees spaced according to mature canopy size, plus one or more types of City-approved ground cover. Additional requirements for landscaping are stated in chapter 17C.200, Landscaping and Screening.

    2. Lighting - City-approved Traditional Series pedestrian scale lighting as shown in Figure 17C.123.050-B (flower basket optional) shall be provided and spaced at an average 50 to 60 feet apart, generally midway between required street trees and centered thirty-six (36”) from the curb to ensure a uniform distance from the street edge along the entire street.

    3. City approved benches and trash receptacles shall be provided for all buildings larger than 10,000 sf. Buildings less than this size are encouraged to include such amenities.

 

Figure 17C.123.050-B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 17C.123.050-E: Curb cuts and driveways may not interrupt sidewalk material and pattern requirements. Ramps may not encroach on Clear Pedestrian Zones.

Figure 17C.123.050-F: Temporary sidewalk encroachments are allowed in the Planting Zone, or in the Clear Pedestrian Zone as per Table 17C.123.050-1.

 

Date Passed: Monday, January 12, 2015

Effective Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2015

ORD C35212 Section 1