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 17H
Chapter 17H.010
Section 17H.010.100
 

Title 17H Engineering Standards

Chapter 17H.010 Street Development Standards

Section 17H.010.100 Entrance Gates
  1. Gates are prohibited on public streets.
  1. Gates are allowed only in conjunction with a planned unit development, binding site plan or mobile home park and must be permitted by the decision-maker in a written decision.
  1. The property served by a gated street must be isolated by topography or the configuration of existing platted lots and streets.
  1. Gated streets shall not obstruct traffic circulation or cut off future development from public access or utilities.
  1. The decision to allow a private street based on the criteria in SMC 17H.010.090 must be made by the director of engineering services before a gate will be considered. A proposed gate is not in itself justification to allow a private street.
  1. Entrance gates shall be placed on private property and maintained by a homeowners’ association.
  1. Proposed gates shall not interfere with emergency vehicle access. Fire lanes meeting city standards shall be provided.
  1. Gated streets require a queuing area meeting city standards on the public side of the gate. If a gated street connects to an arterial, a public turn-around shall be provided on the public side of the gate.
  1. If the queuing area on the public side of the gate is on a public street, the homeowners’ association shall accept responsibility for all surface maintenance (snow plowing, street sweeping/ flushing, and street sign replacement) of the segment of public street from the gate to the nearest paved connecting public street intersection unless a public turn around is provided. The City will be responsible for maintaining the asphalt and all public water, sewer and stormwater facilities located in the public portion of the roadway. Maintenance responsibilities shall be addressed in the CC&Rs for the development as well as in a written agreement with the City of Spokane.
  1. The hours during which the gate is to be closed may be restricted depending on the configuration of the queuing area and the location of the gated street. The hours of operation will be addressed in a written agreement with the City of Spokane.
  1. A KNOX-BOX meeting city fire department criteria shall be provided for all gated streets to allow emergency vehicle access at all times.
  1. Gates may be added to existing planned unit developments or mobile home parks provided all of the following criteria are met:
    1. All streets in the development are private.
    1. The addition of the gate will not isolate or disconnect the development from its surroundings based on topography and the configuration of existing platted lots and streets.
    1. Adequate queuing area on the public side of the gate and a public turn-around, if required, is provided.
    1. Service and emergency vehicle access meeting the requirements of the fire department and the department of engineering services is provided.

Date Passed: Monday, May 15, 2006

Effective Date: Thursday, June 29, 2006

ORD C33838 Section 1