Spokane County, WA Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCC 46.61.240
- Classification
- Traffic infraction, not criminal
- Diagonal crossing
- Barred without a control device
- Adjudication
- Spokane County District Court
- Enforcing agency
- Spokane County Sheriff's Office
Summary
In unincorporated Spokane County, pedestrians who cross a roadway outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles under SCC 46.61.240. Crossing diagonally or against a posted no-crossing sign is also barred. It is a traffic infraction, not a crime.
(1)Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.(2)Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.(3)Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.(4)No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.(5)No pedestrian shall cross a roadway at an unmarked crosswalk where an official sign prohibits such crossing.
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
240 (Crossing at other than crosswalks) governs jaywalking on county roads outside the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley. The rule has five parts: a pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield to every vehicle on the roadway; a pedestrian must use a provided pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing rather than crossing at street level nearby and must yield to vehicles if they cross at street level anyway; between adjacent signalized intersections, pedestrians may cross only in a marked crosswalk; diagonal crossing of an intersection is barred unless official traffic-control devices authorize it, and even then only along the marked diagonal path; and a pedestrian may not cross at an unmarked crosswalk where an official sign prohibits it. 060. 240). 040.
Violations & Fines
Crossing outside a crosswalk in violation of SCC 46.61.240 is a traffic infraction under SCC 46.63.020, not a criminal charge, so no jail time or criminal record attaches. A sheriff's deputy can issue a notice of infraction on the spot under SCC 46.63.030 if the violation occurs in the officer's presence. Contested infractions go before Spokane County District Court under SCC 46.63.040, and a finding against the pedestrian carries a monetary penalty set by the state infraction schedule rather than the county code itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaywalking illegal in unincorporated Spokane County?
Can I be arrested for jaywalking in Spokane County?
Can I cross diagonally at an intersection in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
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