Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17G Administration and Procedures

Chapter 17G.080 Subdivisions

Section 17G.080.000 Purpose and Administration

1. Purpose.

This chapter is adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A and RCW 58.17. It implements the provisions of chapter 36.70A RCW and serves the following purposes: 

1. 1. Ensures consistency with the City’s comprehensive plan 

1. 2. Regulates the subdivision of land in a manner which promotes the public health, safety, and general welfare in accordance with the provisions of chapter 58.17 RCW.

1. 3. Provides for the expeditious review and approval of proposed subdivisions, short subdivisions, and binding site plans which conform to the City’s zoning and development regulations and the policies of the City’s comprehensive plan. 

2. Applicability.

This chapter shall apply to all divisions and redivisions of land for the purposes of sale, lease or transfer of ownership. 

3. Administration.

The director administers, interprets, and enforces the requirements of this chapter. The director establishes administrative rules and requires the use of such forms as needed for the administration of subdivision under this chapter. 

4. Exemptions.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

1. 1. cemeteries and other burial plots while used for that purpose; 

1. 2. divisions made by testamentary provisions, or the laws of descent; provided, that newly created parcels are subject to all zoning and building code regulations in effect at the time of the application;

1. 3. the actions of governmental agencies, such as acquiring land for the purpose of adding to existing public road rights-of-way, creation of new public road rights-of-way, or other public road construction purposes; 

1. 4. a division of land pursuant to the requirements of RCW 58.17.035 for the purpose of lease or rent when no residential structure other than mobile homes or travel trailers are permitted to be placed upon the land; 

1. 5. the creation of condominium units pursuant to chapters 64.32 or 64.34 RCW;

1. 6. acquisition of land by the City for:

1. 1. 1. such public purposes as a park, reservoir or other public utility facility when the site is surveyed and recorded as provided in chapter 58.09 RCW; or 

1. 1. 2. Additional street right-of-way; 

1. 7. an adjustment of boundary lines in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. 

5. Severability. 

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. 

Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2024

ORD C36459 Section 38