Zoning Report

Spokane, WA Zoning

Spokane regulates land use through the Spokane Municipal Code, especially Titles 17C and 17G, with a mix of base zoning districts, overlay districts, supplemental use standards, and project-level review procedures. The source material confirms that the city has residential, commercial, center/corridor, downtown, industrial, and several overlay frameworks, along with a formal variance and hearing process. However, the research packet did not include the full district-by-district use and dimensional tables, so this report identifies the confirmed framework and flags where parcel-level or district-level verification is still needed.

Last researched June 2026

residential zonescommercial zonescenter and corridor zonesdowntown zonesindustrial zonesplanned unit developmentsfloodplain managementhistoric overlayaccessory dwelling unitsshort-term rentalshome occupationsparking and loadinglandscaping and screeningsignsvariance proceduredesign review

Zoning Districts in Spokane, WA

Residential Zones

City residential districts are regulated under Chapter 17C.111. The code structure indicates multiple residential zone types and separate standards for accessory dwelling units, home occupations, bed and breakfasts, group living, and other residential-related uses.

Allowed uses: Residential uses allowed by the applicable residential district, Accessory dwelling units, subject to Chapter 17C.300, Home occupations, subject to Chapter 17C.340, Short-term rentals, subject to Chapter 17C.316, Conditional uses where authorized by Chapter 17C.320

Commercial Zones

Commercial zoning is organized under Chapter 17C.120, with additional center and corridor standards in Chapter 17C.122. These districts are intended for commercial activity and, in some cases, mixed-use or pedestrian-oriented development.

Allowed uses: Commercial uses allowed by the applicable district, Conditional uses where authorized by Chapter 17C.320, Drive-through facilities, where allowed and subject to Chapter 17C.325, Mini-storage facilities, where allowed and subject to Chapter 17C.350

Center and Corridor Zones

Center and Corridor zones under Chapter 17C.122 appear to be Spokane's corridor and node-based mixed-use framework, with pedestrian-oriented standards referenced in the PUD rules.

Allowed uses: Uses allowed by the underlying Center and Corridor district, Retail sales and service uses, Office uses, Mixed-use buildings where otherwise allowed

Form Based Code Zones

Spokane has form-based code zones under Chapter 17C.123. These zones likely regulate development by building form and frontage standards rather than only by conventional use and setback rules.

Allowed uses: Uses allowed by the applicable form-based code district

Downtown Zones

Downtown zoning is regulated under Chapter 17C.124. The code structure indicates a separate downtown framework from standard commercial zones.

Allowed uses: Downtown uses allowed by the applicable district, PUDs are expressly permitted in downtown zones per SMC 17G.070.030

Industrial Zones

Industrial districts are regulated under Chapter 17C.130. The code structure confirms at least a PI zone family and industrial use regulation.

Allowed uses: Industrial uses allowed by the underlying industrial zone, In PI-zone PUDs, housing units may be allowed above the ground floor under SMC 17G.070.030

North River Overlay District

A named overlay district in the code structure under Chapter 17C.160, likely applying additional place-specific standards in the North River area.

Allowed uses: Underlying district uses, as modified by overlay standards

Special Height Overlay Districts

Chapter 17C.170 establishes special height overlay districts that modify height rules in certain areas.

Allowed uses: Underlying district uses

Airfield Overlay Zones

Chapter 17C.180 establishes airfield-related overlays, which typically address height and aviation compatibility around airports.

Allowed uses: Underlying district uses, subject to overlay constraints

Fairchild Overlay Zones

Chapter 17C.182 establishes overlays related to Fairchild, likely for military compatibility and related development limits.

Allowed uses: Underlying district uses, subject to overlay constraints

Recent Zoning Changes

The clearest recent change in the source set is the city’s floodplain management update, which the city said was required to bring local regulations into line with updated state and FEMA-model requirements by December 2021. The source set also confirms an earlier adopted local historic overlay for Browne’s Addition in 2019. No 2025-2026 Spokane zoning text amendments were provided in the research packet, so current legislative activity should be checked directly with the city.

ADU, Rental & Special Use Rules in Spokane, WA

Accessory Dwelling Units

Spokane has a dedicated chapter regulating ADUs.

Chapter 17C.300 applies.
Specific size, occupancy, parking, and placement standards were not included in the source packet.

Short-Term Rentals

Spokane has a dedicated short-term rental chapter.

Chapter 17C.316 applies.
Specific licensing, occupancy, spacing, owner-occupancy, or operational rules were not included in the source packet.

Home Occupations

Spokane has a dedicated home occupation chapter.

Chapter 17C.340 applies.
Specific limits on employees, traffic, signage, or equipment were not included in the source packet.

Marijuana Producers, Processors, and Retailers

State-licensed marijuana uses are regulated by a dedicated chapter and are specifically prohibited in certain residential PUD settings.

Chapter 17C.347 applies.
Specifically prohibited in RA, R1, and R2 PUD retail/office allowance context under SMC 17G.070.030.

Off-Premises Alcohol Outlets

These uses are regulated by a dedicated chapter and are specifically prohibited in certain residential PUD settings.

Chapter 17C.348 applies.
Specifically prohibited in RA, R1, and R2 PUD retail/office allowance context under SMC 17G.070.030.

Mini-Storage Facilities

Mini-storage has a dedicated chapter and is specifically prohibited in certain residential PUD settings.

Chapter 17C.350 applies.
Specifically prohibited in RA, R1, and R2 PUD retail/office allowance context under SMC 17G.070.030.

Drive-Through Facilities

Drive-through facilities are regulated by a dedicated chapter and are specifically prohibited in certain residential PUD settings.

Chapter 17C.325 applies.
Specifically prohibited in RA, R1, and R2 PUD retail/office allowance context under SMC 17G.070.030.

Overlay Districts in Spokane, WA

Floodplain Management

Floodplain regulations are used to manage development in flood-prone areas, maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program, and satisfy more restrictive state-law requirements where applicable.

Browne’s Addition Local Historic District Overlay Zone

This local historic overlay was created to maintain the historic character of Browne’s Addition while keeping historic buildings in use and applying historic design review.

North River Overlay District

Named overlay district in Chapter 17C.160.

Special Height Overlay Districts

Overlay districts that modify standard height rules in designated areas.

Airfield Overlay Zones

Overlay zones tied to airport compatibility and aviation safety.

Fairchild Overlay Zones

Overlay zones associated with Fairchild and likely intended to protect military or aviation operations.

Spokane, WA Zoning FAQ

Are ADUs allowed in Spokane, WA?

Spokane has a dedicated chapter regulating ADUs.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Spokane, WA?

Spokane has a dedicated short-term rental chapter.

What zoning districts are in Spokane, WA?

Spokane, WA includes districts such as Residential Zones, Commercial Zones, Center and Corridor Zones, Form Based Code Zones, Downtown Zones, Industrial Zones, North River Overlay District, Special Height Overlay Districts.

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Spokane, WA?

Floodplain constraints are clearly identified in the source set and are a meaningful development factor in Spokane. The packet did not provide direct code text for wetlands, steep slopes, aquifer protection, or shoreline-specific zoning constraints, so those should be separately verified.

Have there been recent zoning changes in Spokane, WA?

Common questions about Spokane, WA zoning

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Sources

Plan Commission - City of Spokane, Washington — Provided the Plan Commission’s role, hearing authority, and meeting schedule; used for planning board activity and approval process context.
Spokane Municipal Code - Chapter 11.19: Zoning Code — Confirmed that older Chapter 11.19 zoning provisions are repealed, supporting reliance on newer Title 17 structures.
2021 Floodplain Management Update - City of Spokane, Washington — Used for floodplain overlay/environmental constraints and recent adopted amendment context.
Spokane Municipal Code - Section 17G.070.030: Development Standards — Main substantive source for confirmed use permissions and restrictions in planned unit developments.
Variance Type III App — Used for variance approval process, hearing requirements, completeness timing, public comment, SEPA, and appeal information.
Spokane Historic Preservation Office » Browne’s Addition Local Historic District — Used to document the Browne’s Addition local historic overlay, design review implications, and adoption timing.
Spokane Municipal Code - Title 17C: Land Use Standards — Provided the current code chapter structure for zoning districts, overlays, parking, signs, landscaping, special uses, and nonconforming situations.

This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Spokane, WA officials before making decisions.