Garage conversion rules in Spokane County, WA — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Converting a garage or attached space into living quarters is treated as creating an accessory dwelling unit or added living area under Zoning Code Chapter 14.606. It needs a building permit and, if a separate unit, must meet ADU standards and keep required off-street parking.
Spokane County does not have a standalone garage-conversion chapter; a conversion that creates a separate dwelling is regulated as an attached ADU under SCC 14.606. That unit must be a complete, separate housekeeping unit within or attached to the principal dwelling with a common wall, must be designed so the building still looks like a single-family residence with side or rear entrances, and cannot exceed 35% of the building's total livable floor area nor 900 sq ft. Only one such unit is allowed. Because a converted garage removes required parking, the county requires one additional off-street space for the new unit. All conversions require building permits for structural, electrical, and life-safety compliance.
Unpermitted garage conversions and illegal second units are zoning and building-code violations; Spokane County Building and Planning can require permits, corrections, or restoration.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
spokane-county-wa
Home composting is allowed in Spokane County and is not separately permitted. Compost must be managed so it does not become a nuisance, attract vermin, or cr...
spokane-county-wa
Spokane County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating artificial turf on residential property. Synthetic lawns are allowed. In regulated develop...
spokane-county-wa
Spokane County's Zoning Code actively favors native vegetation. Chapter 14.806 states that whenever possible native vegetation should be used and existing ve...
spokane-county-wa
Collecting rooftop rainwater is legal in Spokane County without a water-right permit. Under Washington Department of Ecology's 2009 policy, on-site storage a...
spokane-county-wa
Spokane County itself publishes no countywide lawn-watering schedule. Outdoor watering rules are set by each water purveyor: the City of Spokane and local wa...
spokane-county-wa
State law (RCW 17.10) requires every Spokane County property owner to eradicate Class A noxious weeds and control designated Class B and C weeds on their lan...
See how Spokane County's garage conversions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.