Spokane's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Spokane, Washington, there are 3 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.

Lot Coverage Limits

Spokane limits residential lot coverage under SMC 17C.110. RSF zones typically allow 45-50% building coverage. HB 1110 middle-housing rules may adjust coverage to accommodate duplex/fourplex development on standard lots.

Key details: RSF Coverage: 45-50% typical. Multi-family: 60-75%. Impervious: Separate stormwater rule. HB 1110: Adjusts for middle housing. Code: SMC 17C.110.

Exceeding coverage requires variance, redesign, or removal. Code-enforcement fines up to $500/day for unpermitted structures adding coverage.

Structure Height Limits

Spokane caps residential structure height at 35 feet in RSF zones under SMC 17C.110. Accessory structures limited to 20-24 ft. Downtown and Center zones allow taller buildings subject to shadow and design review.

Key details: RSF Limit: 35 ft. ADU Limit: 24 ft typical. Code: SMC 17C.110.215. Downtown: Taller with shadow review. Airport: FAR Part 77 overlay.

Exceeding height limit triggers stop-work orders, potential demolition of over-height portion, and re-permitting. Fines up to $500/day.

Setback Rules

Spokane setbacks are set in SMC 17C.110. Single-family residential zones typically require 15-ft front, 5-ft side, and 15-ft rear setbacks. HB 1110 middle-housing reform (2023) mandates flexibility for duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes on single-family lots.

Key details: Front: 15 ft typical RSF. Side: 5 ft typical. Rear: 15 ft typical. HB 1110: Middle housing mandate. Code: SMC 17C.110.

Structures encroaching into setbacks require removal, variance, or after-the-fact permits with penalty fees (typically 2x normal).

The Bottom Line

Spokane's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Spokane is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Spokane's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.