Title 17C Land Use Standards
Chapter 17C.200 Landscaping and Screening
To provide consistent street frontage character within the street right-of-way. The street tree standards also maintain and add to Spokane’s tree canopy and enhance the overall appearance of commercial and neighborhood development. Trees are an integral aspect of the Spokane landscape and add to the livability of Spokane. They provide aesthetic and economic value to property owners and the community at large.
TABLE 17C.200.050-1 Tree Planting Dimensional Standards [1]
ZONE
CONTINUOUS PLANTING STRIP (minimum width as measured from back of curb)
INDIVIDUAL PLANTING AREA (width as measured from back of curb)
Downtown
Individual Planting Areas (tree vaults) required [1]
4 ft. minimum 6 ft. maximum [2]
CC
5 ft.
FBC
Individual Planting Areas (tree vaults ) required [1]
5 ft [2]
Commercial
Industrial
6 ft.
Continuous Planting Strip required [3]
RA, RSF, RTF
RMF, RHD
School/Church Loading Zone
Not Applicable
4 ft. minimum 6 ft. maximum [2, 4]
Notes: [1] Individual Planting Areas (tree vaults) are the standard for the Downtown and FBC Zones. Proposals for Continuous Planting Strips may be evaluated on a case by case basis. [2] Un-compacted soils are necessary for street trees. Individual planting areas (or tree vaults) must be of a size to accommodate a minimum of 100 cubic feet of un-compacted soils per tree at a maximum depth of three feet. Refer to the Engineering Design Standards for examples of potential options in individual planting areas. [3] Continuous Planting Strips are the standard for Industrial and Residential Zones. However, individual planting areas meeting the CC standard may be proposed and evaluated on a case by case basis in Industrial, RMF and RHD Zones. [4] In all zones, within a school/church loading zone, street tree location may vary from the standard as long as street trees are located within the right-of-way. [5] In all zones, when a continuous planting strip will double as a stormwater swale, the minimum width shall be 6.5 feet.
Tree Grates
Street Trees with plantings up to 3 ft.
Tree Grate with Tree Guard
The objective, when planting and maintaining street trees, is to create and maintain in a healthy condition a continuous tree canopy over the sidewalk.
Average spacing shall be twenty-five (25) feet for small and columnar trees and thirty (30) feet for canopy trees. The planning director may allow increased spacing for exceptionally large trees or upon the recommendation of the urban forester.
Average spacing for all tree sizes and types shall be twenty-five (25) feet. Trees planted adjacent to parallel parking stalls with meters may be spaced twenty (20) feet apart.
Landscaped areas between the curb and sidewalk, as well as landscaped areas within the clear view triangle as defined in SMC 17A.020.030 shall be maintained or plant material chosen to maintain a vertical clear view zone between three and eight feet from ground level.
Date Passed: Monday, November 30, 2020
Effective Date: Sunday, January 3, 2021
ORD C35984 Section 1