City of Spokane, WA

Common application types

• New Single-Family Residence or Duplex
• Residential Addition and Remodel
• Commercial building permit
• Commercial remodel or tenant improvement
• Demolition permit
• Manufactured building permit
• Roofing, siding and windows
• Preliminary short plat
• Pre-development conference

New homes and additions

New single-family homes and duplexes use the New Single-Family Residence or Duplex Application, with City guides on when engineering documents are required, a frost depth policy and a prescriptive continuous footing calculator. Townhouses follow separate Townhouse Policy and Submittal Guidelines. New residences go through the City's Certificate of Occupancy process.

ADUs and middle housing

Spokane allows two ADUs per lot in the RA, R1, R2, RMF and RHD zones, attached or detached, subject to zone development standards (SMC 17C.300.100). Building Opportunity for Housing code amendments took effect January 1, 2024 to allow middle housing such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, courtyard apartments and stacked flats; on December 14, 2023 the City Council adopted an emergency ordinance limiting R1 and R2 to four units per site as a temporary measure. The City notes Washington HB 1110 allows up to four units per lot in predominantly residential zones.

Decks, retaining walls and accessory structures

Spokane's Development Services guidance states a new storage shed needs a building permit only if it is larger than 200 sq ft, matching the one-story detached accessory structure exemption in the 2021 International Residential Code the City adopts (SMC 17F.040.010); setbacks and coverage still apply. An older, undated Planning Services handout still cites 120 sq ft, so confirm with the DSC before relying on the exemption. The City publishes a Deck Construction Guide and a Fence Guide for Residential Zones.

Commercial tenant improvements and change of use

Commercial remodels and tenant improvements may qualify for a Simple Review Process, but site work, parking lot changes, exterior modifications or a change in use or occupancy group trigger a mandatory intake meeting. Projects that serve or store food or beverages also submit plans to the Spokane Regional Health District.

Land use review

Preliminary short plats (nine or fewer lots) are Type II applications decided by the Planning Director after a public comment period. An optional pre-development conference with City and agency staff is available before applying.

Corrections and review

The City posts wait times of about four weeks to first review comments for new single-family homes and duplexes, about five weeks for long-route commercial projects and about four weeks for short-route commercial work such as tenant improvements, with revisions returned in about 10 days. These are posted estimates, not guarantees.

Tips from SASHKOV

• Register for an ACA account and follow the City's Electronic File Standards before applying.
• Schedule the mandatory intake meeting for new commercial construction, additions and changes of use by calling the DSC.
• Check the SCOUT dashboard to confirm a parcel is in the City rather than unincorporated Spokane County or Spokane Valley.

Where to apply

Permitting authority: Development Services Center (DSC) and Permit Center. Online submittals: Online Permitting (ACA).