Spokane's Building Safety: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building safety a little differently. In Spokane, Washington, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pest Control

Spokane property owners must keep dwellings free of rodents and insects under SMC 10.44 (property maintenance). Pesticide applicators must be licensed by WSDA. Bed bug infestations in rental housing are addressed under RCW 59.18 landlord-tenant rules.

Key details: City Code: SMC 10.44 property maintenance. Applicator License: WSDA per RCW 17.21. Rentals: RCW 59.18.060 habitability. Health District: Spokane Regional investigates. Fine: Up to $500/day nuisance.

Code Enforcement can issue notices of violation with 10-day cure periods. Chronic nuisance properties face civil penalties up to $500 per day under SMC 10.08A.

Elevator Maintenance

Elevator inspection and maintenance in Spokane is regulated by WA Department of Labor and Industries under RCW 70.87 and WAC 296-96. Annual operating permits and periodic L and I inspections are required. Spokane does not administer its own elevator program.

Key details: Regulator: WA L and I. Statute: RCW 70.87. Code: WAC 296-96 / ASME A17.1. Permit: Annual operating. Inspection: Every 1 to 2 years.

Operating without a current permit: L and I can order immediate shutdown and assess penalties up to 10,000 dollars per RCW 70.87.185. Unauthorized work by non-licensed contractor: additional penalties and removal.

Compared to other cities, Spokane takes a harder line on elevator maintenance. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Lead Paint

Spokane follows federal EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule 40 CFR 745 for lead paint in pre-1978 housing. Renovation contractors must be EPA-certified. WA Department of Commerce administers lead programs. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards.

Key details: Federal Rule: 40 CFR 745 RRP. Applies: Pre-1978 housing. Certification: EPA firm and worker. Disclosure: Required at sale/lease. State Agency: WA Commerce.

EPA RRP violations: civil penalties up to 47,357 dollars per violation per day (2024 figure). Failure to disclose to buyers/tenants: treble damages plus attorney fees under 42 USC 4852d.

This is one of the stricter rules in Spokane's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed

Spokane requires scaffolding to comply with WA L&I safety standards (WAC 296-874) and the Spokane Building Code. Right-of-way permits needed when scaffolding extends into public sidewalks or streets via Spokane Municipal Code Title 12.

Key details: State Rule: WAC 296-874 scaffold safety. ROW Permit: SMC Title 12 required. Contractor: L&I licensed and bonded. Pedestrian Canopy: Required over 8 ft. Engineered Plans: Scaffolds over 36 ft.

Working on an unsafe scaffold or obstructing the sidewalk without a permit can trigger stop-work orders, L&I citations up to $7,000 per serious violation, and municipal fines under SMC Title 12.

Fire Sprinkler Requirements

Spokane follows the Washington State Building Code and the International Residential Code as adopted through SMC Chapter 17F, requiring sprinklers in townhomes meeting size or layout triggers and in larger multifamily and commercial buildings.

Key details: State code: RCW 19.27. Local chapter: SMC 17F. Townhouse trigger: Three or more attached. Standards: NFPA 13, 13R, 13D.

Building or occupying without required sprinklers can produce stop-work orders, certificate-of-occupancy denial, and civil penalties under SMC Chapter 17F until corrections pass SFD inspection.

Green Building Code

Spokane construction must meet the Washington State Energy Code under RCW 19.27A and the latest Washington Energy Code adopted through SMC Chapter 17F, with City Climate Action Plan goals encouraging electrification and high-performance building beyond minimum code.

Key details: State statute: RCW 19.27A. Local chapter: SMC 17F. Compliance tools: COMcheck and REScheck. City plan: Climate Action Plan 2021.

Failing energy code review can produce permit revisions, mandatory blower door or duct testing, and certificate-of-occupancy holds until COMcheck or REScheck compliance is verified.

Childcare Center Rules

Childcare centers in Spokane must meet the Washington State Building Code Group E or I-4 occupancy rules, Spokane Fire Department life-safety inspections, and DCYF licensing under WAC 110-300 before they can serve children.

Key details: State code: RCW 19.27. Occupancy class: Group E or I-4. Licensing rule: WAC 110-300. Inspection cadence: Annual SFD review.

Operating without a license or failing fire inspection can lead to DCYF license suspension, SFD correction orders, civil penalties, and forced closure until violations are remedied.

Compared to other cities, Spokane takes a harder line on childcare center rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Door Locking Hardware

Egress doors in Spokane buildings must comply with International Building Code and IFC hardware rules adopted under RCW 19.27, requiring single-action unlatching, panic hardware in assembly and educational uses, and Spokane Fire Department approval for special locking arrangements.

Key details: Code reference: IBC and IFC Chapter 10. Local adoption: SMC 17F. Standard rule: Single-action unlatch. Panic hardware: Assembly and education.

Improper deadbolts, chains, or aftermarket barricade devices can lead to SFD correction notices, civil penalties under SMC Chapter 17F, and certificate of occupancy holds.

Anti-Mansionization

Spokane controls oversized infill homes through SMC Chapter 17C lot coverage, building height, and floor area regulations rather than a dedicated mansionization ordinance, with stricter limits in residential single-family RSF and historic overlay zones.

Key details: Land use code: SMC Chapter 17C. Typical height cap: About 35 feet RSF. Coverage cap: Around 40 to 45 percent. Historic overlay: Landmarks Commission review.

Exceeding height, coverage, or setback limits can produce stop-work orders, code-enforcement civil penalties, and required redesign or removal before final inspection or occupancy.

The Bottom Line

Spokane is tougher than many cities when it comes to building safety. Out of the 9 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Spokane, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Spokane's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.