Spokane County, WA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Commission size
- 11 members, 9 city + 2 county
- Age threshold
- more than 50 years old
- Certificate needed for
- demolition, relocation, use change, exterior work
- Appeal window
- 10 days to county board
- Demolition negotiation period
- up to 45 days, extendable 45 more
- Governing chapter
- SCC Chapter 1.48
Summary
Spokane County designates historic landmarks and districts under Spokane County Code 1.48.110, run through a joint city/county Historic Landmarks Commission. A building, site, or district must be more than fifty years old, retain integrity of location, design, and materials, and fit one of six statutory categories, from association with a significant historic event to being the outstanding work of an architect, before the commission recommends listing on the Spokane register.
Generally, a building, structure, object, site or district which is more than fifty years old may be designated an historic landmark or historic district if it has significant character, interest or value as a part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, county, state or nation. The property must also possess integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship and association and must fall into one or more of the following categories: (a)It is the location of, or is associated with, an historic event with a significant effect upon the city, county, state or nation; or(b)It is associated with the life of a person important in the history of the city, county, state or nation; or(c)It is associated with a significant aspect of the cultural, political or economic heritage of the city, county, state or nation; or(d)It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of a generally recognized architectural style or period, or method of construction; or(e)It is the outstanding work of an architect, designer or builder; or(f)It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
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
100). 180). 250); if no agreement is reached, the property is never placed on the register. 270 gives the applicant and commission up to forty-five days to negotiate alternatives to demolition, with another forty-five days available to arrange salvage and documentation if none is found. 100(2)(A) confirms the inventory designation does not change or modify the underlying zoning classification. The commission also reviews special-permit applications under the county zoning code for properties within a historic district and advises the building official on facade-easement properties before any alteration permit is issued.
Violations & Fines
Spokane County withholds building or demolition permits until the commission's recommendation is on record: Section 1.48.100(c)(1)(E) bars the building official from issuing an alteration permit on a facade-easement property until the commission or its designee weighs in, with the official's decision appealable to the county board. A designation decision itself is contestable only by the property's owner of record, who has ten days after the written findings under Section 1.48.190 to file an appeal under Section 1.48.220, reviewed strictly on the commission's record; further appeal runs to superior court under Section 1.48.230.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does historic landmark designation in Spokane County change my zoning?
Who decides whether my property becomes a historic landmark?
Can I refuse a historic designation on my property?
What if I want to demolish a listed building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
Compare Spokane County to another location·View the Washington historic preservation overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.