Spokane County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front/flanking setback (residence)
- 15 feet
- Side setback (residence)
- 15 feet
- Garage setback
- 20 feet
- Rear setback base
- 5 feet (up to 15 ft)
- Code section
- SCC 14.606.300 Table 606-3
Summary
In Spokane County's urban residential zones, the front/flanking-street and side setback for a residence is 15 feet (20 feet for a garage). The rear setback is 5 feet plus 1 foot for each foot of building height over 25 feet, up to 15 feet.
Rear (all residential zones): Five feet plus 1 additional foot for each additional foot of structure height over 25 feet to a maximum of 15 feet. Front/flanking street and Side: 15 feet - residence, 20 feet - garage.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
Under SCC 14.606.300 (Table 606-3), residences in the Low Density, Low Density Plus, Medium Density, and High Density Residential zones have a 15-foot front/flanking-street setback and 15-foot side setback for the residence, and 20 feet for a garage. The rear setback (all residential zones) is 5 feet plus 1 additional foot for each foot of structure height over 25 feet, to a maximum of 15 feet. Setbacks are measured from the property line. Eaves, cornices and chimneys may project up to 2 feet into a required yard (SCC 14.810.200), and structures under 120 square feet may sit on a side or rear lot line. Other zones (agricultural, commercial, industrial) have different standards.
Violations & Fines
Building within a required setback without approval requires a variance or removal; setback compliance is verified before a building permit is issued by the Division of Building and Planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the side-yard setback for a house?
How is the rear setback calculated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
Compare Spokane County to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
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