Accessory Structures in Spokane Valley, WA (2026)
3 verified accessory structures rules for Spokane Valley, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Spokane Valley allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, attached or detached, under SVMC § 19.40.030. The ADU cannot exceed 50 percent of the primary home's habitable floor area, must be at least 300 square feet, and its footprint is capped at 10 percent of the lot or 1,000 square feet, whichever is greater. The unit cannot have more than two bedrooms.
Spokane Valley ADU Size and Site Rules
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 19.40.030(A)-(C)
An ADU may be developed in conjunction with either an existing or new primary dwelling unit; ... One ADU, attached or detached, is allowed per lot; and one off-street parking space for the ADU is required in addition to the off-street parking required for the primary dwelling unit. ... The ADU shall not exceed 50 percent of the habitable square footage of the primary dwelling unit, nor be less ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Spokane Valley requires the titleholder of an ADU property to live in either the primary home or the ADU as a permanent residence for at least six months of the year, per SVMC § 19.40.030(D)(1). The owner cannot collect rent for whichever unit they occupy, and the application must include a signed letter affirming that one legal titleholder lives in one of the two units.
Spokane Valley ADU Owner-Occupancy Mandate
Significant RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 19.40.030(D)(1)-(2)
The owner, as established by the titleholder, shall occupy either the primary dwelling unit or the ADU as their permanent residence for six months or more of the calendar year and at no time receive rent for the owner-occupied unit. The application for the ADU shall include a letter from the owner affirming that one legal titleholder lives in either unit, meeting the requirement of owner occupa...
Shed & Carport Rules
A shed in Spokane Valley needs at least five feet of clearance from the rear and side property lines and cannot sit in the front yard, per SVMC § 19.70.050(C). Sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit, but the exemption doesn't waive the setback.
Spokane Valley Shed Size, Setback, and Permits
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code §§ 19.65.130(A), 19.70.050(C), 24.40.040(A)(1)(a)
Accessory Structures. 1. The combined building footprint of all accessory permanent structures in residential zoning districts shall be: a. Up to 1,000 square feet for parcels up to 10,000 square feet in size; or b. Up to 10 percent of the lot size for parcels greater than 10,000 square feet in size. ... C. Accessory structures shall not be erected within five feet of any rear or side prope...
Looking for Spokane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Spokane Valley city rules.
Accessory Structures in Spokane County →