Environmental Rules in Spokane Valley, WA (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for Spokane Valley, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Spokane Valley regulates stormwater under SVMC Chapter 22.150. Grading over 500 cubic yards, new impervious surface over 5,000 square feet, disturbances of an acre or more, subdivisions, and drywells all require City approval before work starts, on top of a separate storm and surface water utility charge billed to every developed parcel.
Spokane Valley Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 22.150.020
No person on any public or private real property located within the City shall engage in the following regulated activities without City's approval. The regulated activities for development are: A. Grading of land in excess of 500 cubic yards; B. Construction of, or addition to, a building (except a single-family or duplex residence) or placement of impervious surfaces that exceed 5,000 square ...
Erosion Control
Spokane Valley requires an engineered grading permit, and with it a temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) plan, for land disturbance over 500 cubic yards or on steep cut and fill slopes under SVMC § 24.50.030. The applicant must keep all soil confined on site and maintain erosion controls throughout construction.
Spokane Valley Construction Erosion Control Plan Rule
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 24.50.030(C)(5)
Temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) plan. The TESC plan shall include all of the minimum elements specified in Chapter 22.150 SVMC, Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual Chapter 9, and plan elements required in Chapter 4 of the current adopted Street Standards, and SVMC § 22.130.040, as applicable. The TESC plan may also be prepared by a certified erosion and sediment control technician....
Flood Zones
Spokane Valley requires a development permit before any construction, fill, or land alteration begins within a mapped area of special flood hazard. Chapter 21.30 SVMC adopts the Spokane County Flood Insurance Study and its FIRM by reference, and the city manager or designee administers permits as floodplain administrator under SVMC § 21.30.070. Building without one violates SVMC § 21.30.030.
Spokane Valley Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 21.30.070(A)
Development Permit Required. A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in this chapter. The permit shall be for all structures including manufactured homes, as defined in Appendix A, and for all development including fill and other activities, also defined in Appendix A.
Boat Dock Permits
Spokane Valley lets most private boat docks skip a full shoreline substantial development permit under SVMC § 21.50.110(G), but the owner must still file for a letter of exemption from the city manager. The exemption covers residential docks valued at $11,200 or less, or $22,500 for like-for-like replacements; costlier docks trigger a full Type II shoreline permit.
Spokane Valley Boat Dock Permit Exemption
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 21.50.110(G)
Construction of a dock, including a community dock, designed for pleasure craft only, for the private noncommercial use of the owner, lessee, or contract purchaser of a single-family or multiple-family residence. A dock is a landing and moorage facility for watercraft and does not include recreational decks, storage facilities, or other appurtenances. This exception applies when the fair market...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Spokane Valley caps commercial vehicle idling in residential zones at 15 consecutive minutes, or 15 minutes total per calendar day, under SVMC § 9.30.060. The limit covers the R-1 through R-4 and MF-1/MF-2 zoning districts and any street off the City's arterial map. Truck refrigeration units face an overnight curfew too.
Spokane Valley Commercial Vehicle Idling Limit
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 9.30.060
No person shall cause a commercial vehicle to idle in any residentially zoned area for more than 15 consecutive minutes, or more than 15 minutes total in any single calendar day.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New residential construction in a Spokane Valley flood hazard area must elevate its lowest floor, including any basement, at least one foot above the base flood elevation under SVMC § 21.30.090(C)(1)(a). Nonresidential buildings may instead be flood-proofed watertight to that same one-foot freeboard level under subsection (C)(2).
Spokane Valley Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Municipal Code § 21.30.090(C)(1)(a)
Specific Standards. In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided (Zones A1 – 30, AH, and AE) as set forth in SVMC § 21.30.020...the following provisions are required: 1. Residential Construction. a. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot or more above ...
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