Spokane Municipal Code provisions restrict sitting, lying, or camping on downtown sidewalks and rights-of-way during business hours, enforced by SPD with referrals to shelter services where available.
Spokane has adopted municipal code provisions restricting sitting, lying, or obstructing sidewalks in designated downtown and commercial corridors during specified hours, primarily to keep pedestrian rights-of-way clear. Enforcement is conditioned by federal Ninth Circuit precedent (Martin v. Boise) requiring that involuntary citation generally only occur when shelter beds are available. Spokane Police Department coordinates with outreach providers (Catholic Charities, Truth Ministries) to offer shelter referrals before citation. Penalties typically begin with warnings and escalate to misdemeanor citations for repeat offenses.
Sitting, lying, or obstructing sidewalks in restricted zones during enforcement hours can lead to warnings, citations, and ultimately misdemeanor charges if shelter is offered and refused.
Spokane, WA
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Spokane, WA
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See how Spokane's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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