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Dear Community Member,
After engaging with the community since the beginning of the Comprehensive Plan update work in 2024, the City is now seeking public feedback on the draft Future Land Use Map developed out of that work. A public comment period opened on August 7 for both the Future Land Use Map and draft Comprehensive Plan. After careful consideration, a deadline for the public comment period has been established, with comments due Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Learn more about what is available and how to submit comments!
Cities adopt Future Land Use Maps to plan for the distribution of uses throughout the City to meet our current and future needs. The Future Land Use Map StoryMap includes an interactive map, where community members can zoom into specific properties and leave direct, location-based comments. Additionally, each neighborhood has been turned into a slider image that allows viewers to compare the existing Land Use designations, as converted to the new Land Use scheme, against what is proposed. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback, including recommendations, support, or specific concerns to help refine the Future Land Use Map draft.
Explore the Future Land Use Map StoryMap.
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What’s New with the Draft Comprehensive Plan?
The Chapter Review webpage was recently updated with the August release of the draft Comprehensive Plan. Read more on the Chapter Review webpage.
In addition to updates to goals and policies based on received community feedback, this update includes three newly released components of the document.
- The Comprehensive Plan includes numerous maps that are now available. In addition to the Future Land Use Map, other draft maps available for public review include maps showing Urban Hubs, Indigenous Territories, Priority Areas for Conservation, Proposed Bicycle Network, Proposed Arterial Network, and many more. Maps are available in their respective draft Chapters.
- Available appendices to the Comprehensive Plan are now available. Appendices include additional research and planning-related analysis that support the document and include the Capital Facilities Plan, Housing analysis, and Climate Element Matrix. The Transportation appendix is also now available.
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Chapter 2, previously called Implementation and not known as Community Indicators, was previously unavailable. This Chapter provides a general framework for ongoing tracking and monitoring of future implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
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Comprehensive Plan Explorer Now Available
An interactive Comprehensive Plan Explorer is now available. This interactive dashboard allows members of the public to search all of the goals and policies found within the draft Comprehensive Plan by Chapter, key words, theme, or whether it is new or existing.
This tool is a companion to, not a replacement of, the draft Chapters and does not include introductions, maps, graphics, or other important content.
View the Comprehensive Plan Explorer.
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PlanSpokane at City Council Study Session
PlanSpokane 2046 presented at the August 20 City Council Study Session, providing an update on community participation and presenting the draft Future Land Use Map.
Watch the Study Session recording.
Additional recordings of City Council and Plan Commission presentations on PlanSpokane 2046 can be found on the About page of PlanSpokane.org, under the “Presentations and Materials” dropdown.
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Help BUILDSpokane With Us
The BUILDSpokane code modernization team is hard at work identifying best practices and ways to meet the goals of the project: modernize the City’s regulatory framework; align the development regulations with current policy objectives; reduce or eliminate barriers; promote affordability, equity, and sustainability; and improve transparency and efficiency.
Be on the lookout for more information and opportunities to provide feedback later this year. Until then, members of the public can send questions and comments to the project team at DevelopmentCode@spokanecity.org.
Learn more and stay involved by visiting the project page for updates and materials, and keep an eye out for future opportunities to participate in the process.
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Accessory Dwelling Unit Proposal in Response to Fires
The Spokane Complex Fire has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of dwelling units in the northwest of Spokane, many of which were detached single-unit homes. During outreach to other urban communities affected by wildfire, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) were identified as an important option for households looking to rebuild. These units are smaller, typically quicker and more affordable to build than a standard home, and can allow homeowners to return to their property sooner than building the house first.
Current code prohibits building an ADU until the primary structure is established on the site. However, rebuilding communities have identified that some survivors prefer to build the ADU first to gain a foothold back into stable housing and then shift to building the primary house. This proposal, which was presented at the August 26 Plan Commission workshop, looks to modify the order in which structures can be built citywide to allow for flexibility in rebuilding.
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City of Spokane Wildfire Information Page The City of Spokane has a wildfire information page to help our community navigate this difficult time. Here you will find tips for returning home, frequently asked questions about city services, ways to help, cleanup efforts, and information on rebuilding.
On the Rebuilding page, you can find information on when demolition permits are required, requirements checklists for cleanup and rebuilding, how to handle debris, and more. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
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Join the Bicycle Advisory Board Bike Ride to City Hall
The Bicycle Advisory Board, in partnership with Spokane Reimagined and the Spokane Bicycle Club, are hosting a bicycle ride in preparation for Week Without Driving. This is an opportunity to learn how to get to City Hall from your library or community center without getting in a vehicle! Sprocket and Sprinkles will be around serving ice cream, so be sure to grab a scoop before the Downtown Loop ride. Check out this flyer for more details.
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North Spokane Corridor Survey
WSDOT is gathering community input on the design and landscaping of the North Spokane Corridor connection to I-90. Join WSDOT at community events this summer!
Can't make an event? Fill out the survey!
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Division Street Transit-Oriented Development To Go Before City Council
After an 18-month planning process from fall 2024 to spring 2026 and following on the DivisionConnects collaborative study from 2019 to 2021, the public draft of the Division Street Transit-Oriented Development Plan was approved by the City of Spokane Plan Commission on August 26, to go before City Council in September and October of this year. The Plan establishes a corridor-wide framework for encouraging higher intensity development, a mix of employment, residential, and commercial uses, and appropriate development design at key station areas along the Division Street bus rapid transit line, slated for construction by 2032. The plan was funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration and is the result of a collaborative partnership between the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane Transit Authority to support land use policies and infrastructure investments that make the most of the upcoming high-performance transit investments on Division Street.
You can review the public draft on the project webpage.
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What Happened?
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August 12 Public Workshop: This workshop of the Spokane Plan Commission was cancelled in light of the Spokane Complex Fire.
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August 26 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard presentations on the ADU fire response and the 6-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), discussed the PlanSpokane 2046 adoption timeline and Future Land Use Map, and explored the PlanSpokane Comprehensive Plan policy explorer. [watch 8.26.26 recording]
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August 26 Public Hearing: The Spokane Plan Commission held a hearing on the Division Street Transit-Oriented Development Plan to consider adoption by resolution. [watch 8.26.26 hearing recording]
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What's Next?
The final agendas for the Spokane Plan Commission meetings can be found online, a week before the hearing, on the Plan Commission webpage.
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Wednesday, Sept. 9 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear presentations on and discuss the BUILDSpokane code modernization project, the PlanSpokane 2046 Future Land Use Map, and PlanSpokane 2046 draft policies related to wildfires and emergency management.
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Wednesday, Sept. 23 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear presentations on the BUILDSpokane code modernization project and 6-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and to continue discussion on the PlanSpokane 2046 Future Land Use Map.
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Development Services Center is Open to Serve You!
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- In person - 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - 3rd Floor of City Hall (Office is closed Wednesday mornings from 8-11 a.m. through the near future to allow staff to focus on permit load and reduce wait times. Calls will be forwarded to voicemail during this time.)
- Online - Skip a trip to City Hall with online permitting, an email to permitteam@spokanecity.org or Electronic Document Review
- Phone - A representative can assist you at 509.625.6300
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Provide written comment in email to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org
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