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Spokane Valley, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing table
Table 19.70-1, SVMC § 19.70.020
R-1 max coverage
30.0%
R-2/R-3 max coverage
50.0%
R-4/MFR max coverage
60.0%
Applies to
Combined footprint of all structures

Summary

Spokane Valley caps how much of a residential lot a building can cover under Table 19.70-1 of the zoning code: 30 percent in the large-lot R-1 zone, 50 percent in R-2 and R-3, and 60 percent in R-4 and multifamily residential (MFR) zones. The limit applies to every structure's combined footprint, not just the primary house.

Table 19.70-1 – Residential Standards R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 MFR(1) Minimum

...

Maximum Lot Coverage 30.0% 50.0% 50.0% 60.0% 60.0%

View official code

Full Breakdown

70-1, and lot coverage is one of the table's 'Maximum' standards alongside density and building height. 0 percent. Lot coverage is calculated on the combined footprint of every structure on the parcel, so a house, attached garage, and any accessory building all count against the same percentage. The table pairs coverage with a minimum lot size for each zone, from 40,000 square feet in R-1 down to 4,300 square feet in R-4, and a footnote to the table excludes single-family development in the MFR zone from the open space requirement while still holding it to the MFR coverage cap. 010 before construction can start, regardless of whether the setbacks are otherwise met.

Violations & Fines

A site plan that pushes lot coverage past the Table 19.70-1 maximum for its zone fails building permit review outright under SVMC § 24.40.010(B), which requires every submitted project to conform to Title 24. If a coverage violation is discovered after construction, it runs through SVMC Chapter 17.100: a notice and order, civil penalties, and potential permit revocation or a court-ordered abatement of the noncompliant structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum lot coverage in Spokane Valley's R-3 zone?
50.0 percent. Table 19.70-1 in SVMC § 19.70.020 sets R-3 (Single-Family Residential) lot coverage at 50.0 percent of the parcel, the same cap that applies in the R-2 Suburban zone, measured against the combined footprint of the house and every accessory structure on the lot.
Does the coverage limit include my garage and shed?
Yes. Table 19.70-1's lot coverage maximum is calculated against every structure's footprint on the lot, not just the primary residence, so an attached garage, detached garage, and any shed or accessory building all count toward the single percentage cap set for your zone.
Which zone allows the highest lot coverage in Spokane Valley?
R-4 (Single-Family Residential Urban) and MFR (Multifamily Residential) both top out at 60.0 percent under Table 19.70-1, the highest coverage allowance in the residential table, compared to just 30.0 percent in the large-lot R-1 zone.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Spokane Valley

Setback RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsStructure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSignificant Restrictions

All Spokane Valley rules

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