Pop. 108,267
Spokane Valley allows backyard chickens under SVMC 19.65.020. A maximum of one chicken may be kept per 2,000 square feet of lot, up to 25 birds; roosters are not permitted. Larger poultry and livestock generally require a lot of at least one gross acre, with setbacks for animal structures.
Spokane Valley adopts Spokane County's animal code (SCC Chapter 5.04) by reference under Chapter 7.30 SVMC, enforced by SCRAPS. Dogs may not run at large; owners may walk a dog in public only on a leash, tether or chain not exceeding eight feet in length. City parks require pets to be leashed.
Washington RCW 16.52 criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect statewide, providing the legal foundation for animal hoarding prosecutions when owners fail to provide necessary food, water, shelter, and veterinary care to multiple animals.
Washington RCW 15.60 requires all beekeepers with one or more hives to register their apiaries annually with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, supporting disease tracking and pollinator health statewide.
Washington RCW 16.08 governs dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs through behavior-based standards rather than breed identity, requiring registration, secure confinement, and liability insurance for declared dangerous dogs across all jurisdictions.
Washington RCW 16.30 prohibits private possession, breeding, and importation of dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, and primates, applying uniformly statewide with limited grandfather and accreditation exceptions.
Spokane Valley regulates noise through its nuisance code, SVMC 7.05.040(K). Sound originating in a residential zone that exceeds the maximum permissible levels in Chapter 173-60 WAC is a prohibited public nuisance. There are no fixed citywide "quiet hours," but certain activities are only exempt between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Construction noise in Spokane Valley is exempt from the city's nuisance noise rules only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. under SVMC 7.05.040(K)(4), or when conducted more than 1,000 feet from any residence. Outside that window, construction noise can be cited as a public nuisance.
Spokane Valley adopts Spokane County's animal control code (SCC Chapter 5.04) by reference for animal regulations, and Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) enforces it. The county prohibits allowing an animal to unreasonably disturb people by habitually barking, howling, yelping or whining, with no fixed time-of-day limit.
Aircraft noise in Washington is preempted by federal aviation law, and the state expressly excludes aircraft in flight from its noise control regulations under WAC 173-60-050.
Amplified music in Washington is regulated under the statewide Maximum Environmental Noise Levels, which set decibel caps at the property line based on receiving zone and time of day.
Industrial sources in Washington must comply with EDNA limits set by WAC 173-60, with the receiving residential zone limited to 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime.
Consumer fireworks are illegal in Spokane Valley. Under SVMC 7.15.030 it is unlawful to ignite, discharge, or sell fireworks anywhere in the city. Only permitted public displays under RCW 70.77.260 are allowed. The city used its authority under RCW 70.77.395 to fully prohibit consumer fireworks.
Residential outdoor burning of yard and garden debris is not allowed in Spokane Valley. Outdoor burning in the city is regulated by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) and the Spokane Valley Fire Department, and yard-debris burning is prohibited; only recreational fires with approved fuel are permitted, subject to seasonal burn restrictions.
Recreational fires (fire pits, chimineas, portable fireplaces) are allowed in Spokane Valley with approved fuel, when no burn restriction is in effect. Regional fire-marshal guidance limits recreational fires to a fuel area no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, attended by an adult with extinguishing equipment ready.
Washington adopts the International Fire Code statewide under RCW 19.27.031, including NFPA 58 standards for liquefied petroleum gas (propane). These rules govern container placement, capacity, and installation regardless of city.
Washington adopted the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code statewide under RCW 19.27. New construction in designated WUI areas must meet ignition-resistant building, defensible space, and water supply requirements.
Under SVMC 22.70.020, residential fences in the front yard are limited to 3 feet if sight-obstructing, or 4 feet if non-sight-obstructing (such as chain link). Fences in side and rear yards may be up to 7 feet without a permit, and 7 to 8 feet only with a building permit and engineering.
A standard residential fence in Spokane Valley does not require a building permit. Under SVMC 22.70.020 and the city's Fence Installation Guidelines, fences up to 7 feet in residential side/rear yards need no permit; only fences over 7 feet (up to 8 feet) require a building permit and engineering.
Washington's partition fence law requires adjoining landowners using a boundary fence for livestock to share construction and maintenance costs equitably under RCW 16.60.
Washington requires pool barriers for residential and public pools through state-adopted building code provisions and Department of Health rules ensuring minimum 48-inch fencing.
Spokane Valley has no dedicated short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) permit or licensing chapter. Operators must obtain the city's standard business registration and comply with Washington's statewide short-term rental law (Chapter 64.37 RCW), which requires liability insurance, a guest contact, and safety compliance, plus state lodging tax registration.
Washington law requires short-term rental operators to maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1 million or operate through a platform that provides equivalent coverage. This statewide requirement applies regardless of local rules.
Washington imposes statewide sales tax and lodging taxes on short-term rental stays under 30 days. Operators must register with the Department of Revenue, collect applicable taxes, and remit them regardless of local jurisdiction.
Spokane Valley's street parking follows the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance (SVMC 9.05.010); there is no blanket ban on RVs or boats on residential streets. On private property, SVMC 19.65 limits an RV in a required front-yard setback to 15 consecutive days (30 days per year) and bars living in an RV without a permit.
Washington's RCW 46.55 governs how abandoned vehicles are impounded, noticed, redeemed, and auctioned, providing a uniform statewide framework that local jurisdictions must follow.
Washington requires EV-ready parking in new construction and prohibits HOAs from banning EV charging stations, establishing baseline requirements that supersede conflicting local rules.
Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.681) requires cities and counties to allow two ADUs per lot in urban growth areas, preempting restrictive local rules.
Washington adopts the International Residential Code statewide; detached one-story sheds 200 square feet or less are exempt from building permits.
Washington recognizes tiny houses on foundations under IRC Appendix Q and tiny houses on wheels as recreational vehicles under RCW 35.21.686.
Washington's cottage food law allows home-based production of low-risk foods under a state permit administered by WSDA, with uniform statewide rules that municipalities cannot override.
Washington licenses family home child care providers through DCYF and preempts local zoning that would treat licensed home daycares as commercial uses requiring special permits.
Washington requires jurisdictions over 25,000 to provide organics collection and bans certain organic waste disposal under RCW 70A.205.545.
Washington law expressly permits rooftop rainwater collection for onsite use without a water right permit, preempting any municipal prohibition on basic harvesting.
Washington Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09) regulates commercial timber harvest statewide; nonconversion harvests require state-issued permits.
Washington Department of Ecology administers water rights and may issue drought emergency orders that override local outdoor watering practices statewide.
Washington RCW 17.10 mandates statewide control of designated noxious weeds; landowners must prevent spread regardless of municipal location.
Washington WAC 246-260 enforced under RCW 70.90 requires public swimming pools, including those at apartments, hotels, and HOAs, to maintain barriers at least four feet high with self-closing self-latching gates statewide.
Washington WAC 246-260 regulates public spas and hot tubs at hotels, apartments, gyms, and HOAs, requiring permits, water testing, temperature limits, and posted bather safety warnings under RCW 70.90 statewide.
Washington RCW 70.90 and WAC 246-260 establish statewide operational safety rules for public pools including water quality, signage, lifeguard or warning sign requirements, and anti-entrapment drain compliance under federal VGB Act.
Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board licenses cannabis retailers and imposes statewide 1,000-foot buffers from schools and other sensitive uses, which local governments may reduce but not eliminate.
Washington uniquely prohibits recreational home cultivation of cannabis statewide, with cultivation only permitted by licensed producers and qualifying medical patients.
Commercial drone operations in Washington are governed by FAA Part 107, with state law adding criminal liability for invasive uses and limited authority over state-owned land.
Washington combines federal FAA airspace preemption with state criminal statutes prohibiting drone voyeurism, harassment, and interference with first responders that apply uniformly statewide.
Washington RCW 49.46 establishes a state minimum wage with annual CPI adjustments and permits cities to set higher local minimum wages, unlike many preemption states.
Washington RCW 49.46.200 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees, and RCW 50A.04 provides paid family and medical leave funded by payroll premiums.
Washington has no statewide predictable scheduling law and does not preempt local rules, allowing cities like Seattle to enforce secure scheduling ordinances.
Washington's Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) requires Shoreline Substantial Development Permits for most construction within 200 feet of marine and freshwater shorelines statewide.
Washington requires all communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program to adopt floodplain ordinances meeting state minimum standards under RCW 86.16.
Washington Department of Ecology administers federally-required NPDES stormwater permits statewide, setting minimum standards for municipal, construction, and industrial stormwater that all jurisdictions must implement.
Washington issues concealed pistol licenses under RCW 9.41.070 on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants, with statewide preemption preventing local concealed carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.290 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority over firearm laws to the state legislature with very limited exceptions.
Washington allows open carry of firearms by qualified adults without a permit, with limited statutory restrictions and broad preemption barring most local open carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.050 governs carrying firearms in vehicles statewide, requiring a concealed pistol license to carry a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle.
Washington has no state E-Verify mandate, and RCW 49.60 prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or immigration-related characteristics statewide.
Washington's Keep Washington Working Act under RCW 10.93.160 limits state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, establishing statewide sanctuary protections.
Washington RCW 59.18.650 requires landlords to have one of 16 enumerated lawful causes to terminate most residential tenancies statewide.
Washington HB 1217 (2025) caps annual residential rent increases at 7 percent plus CPI or 10 percent, whichever is lower, statewide.
Washington's Growth Management Act under RCW 36.70A.170 requires counties and cities to designate and protect agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance through zoning.
Washington RCW 7.48.305 protects established agricultural activities from nuisance lawsuits when operations existed before nearby nonagricultural land uses changed the area.
Washington RCW 70A.530 bans single-use plastic carryout bags statewide and requires retailers to charge a pass-through fee for compliant paper or reusable bags.
Washington RCW 70A.245 bans expanded polystyrene foam food service containers, packing peanuts, and coolers in phases starting June 2024 to combat plastic pollution.
Washington RCW 70A.550 limits single-use food service ware including plastic straws and utensils to upon-request distribution at restaurants and food service businesses.
Washington RCW 64.38.055 voids homeowner association covenants prohibiting solar panel installation on owner property statewide, while permitting only reasonable placement rules that do not significantly impair efficiency or increase cost.
Washington RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510 prevent HOAs and condominium associations from prohibiting solar panels, while RCW 35.21.700 limits local government ability to ban solar collectors on residential property.
Washington RCW 26.28.080 sets the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vapor products at 21, aligning with federal Tobacco 21 standards statewide.
Washington has not enacted a statewide flavored tobacco ban, leaving flavor restrictions to limited Department of Health authority and federal FDA enforcement on flavored vapor cartridges.
Washington RCW 70.345 requires licensing for vapor product retailers, distributors, and delivery sellers, with state Department of Revenue oversight and tax collection.