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 17G
Chapter 17G.061
Section 17G.061.000
 

Title 17G Administration and Procedures

Chapter 17G.061 Land Use Application Procedures

Section 17G.061.000 Purpose and Administration
  1. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standard procedures for the review and processing of land use applications through the establishment of complete application standards, review procedures, notice requirements, hearing processes, decision criteria and appeal procedures for all applications.

  1. Administration.
    1. Responsibility for the administration, application and interpretation of these procedures pursuant to this ordinance is as is set forth below.
      1. The director of building services or his designee is responsible for chapter 17E.050 SMC, Division F; chapter 17G.010 SMC, Division I; and the development codes.
      1. The director of engineering services or his designee is responsible for chapter 17D.020 SMC, chapter 17D.070 SMC, chapter 17E.010 SMC, chapter 17E.050 SMC, chapter 17G.080 SMC, Division H and the development codes.
      1. The Planning Director or his designee is responsible for Title 17B SMC and Title 17C SMC and chapter 17D.010 SMC, chapter 17D.060 SMC, chapter 17D.080 SMC, chapter 17D.090 SMC, chapter 17E.020 SMC, chapter 17E.030 SMC, chapter 17E.040 SMC, chapter 17E.050 SMC, chapter 17E.060 SMC, chapter 17E.070 SMC, chapter 17G.020 SMC, chapter 17G.030 SMC, chapter 17G.040 SMC, chapter 17G.061 SMC, chapter 17G.070 SMC, and chapter 17G.080 SMC.
    1. The procedures for requesting interpretations of the land use codes and development codes shall be made by the department and may be contained under the specific codes.
  1. Exclusions per RCW 36.70B.140.
    1. The following are excluded from the project permit review process, associated time frames, and other provisions of these procedures:
      1. Landmark designations;
      1. street vacations;
      1. approvals related to the use of public areas or facilities;
      1. project permits that, by ordinance or resolution, have been determined to present special circumstances warranting a review process different from that provided in this chapter.
      1. Lot line or boundary adjustments;
      1. final short subdivisions;
      1. final binding site plans;
      1. final plats; and
      1. building or other construction permits, or similar administrative approvals categorically exempt from environmental review under RCW 43.21C, or for which environmental review has been completed in conjunction with other project permits and are judged by the director to adequately address the current application.
    1. Applications for interior alterations are excluded, provided they do not result in the following:
      1. Additional sleeping quarters or bedrooms;
      1. Nonconformity with federal emergency management agency substantial improvement thresholds; or
      1. Increase the total square footage or valuation of the structure thereby requiring upgraded fire access or fire suppression systems.
  1. Conflicting Ordinances.

If any provision of the ordinance codified in this title or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance codified in this title or the application of its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

  1. Severability.

To the extent there is a conflict between this chapter and other ordinances or resolutions for the City of Spokane regulating project permits, this chapter shall govern.

Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2024

ORD C36459 Section 35