Housing Update

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023

Dear Community Member,

The City of Spokane Department of Planning and Economic Development would like to thank you for your continued support and dedication to the betterment of Spokane. As we approach the end of the year, we express our gratitude to those who have taken the time to review, provide comments, or testify for the various Planning projects throughout this past year.

As we look ahead to 2024, we eagerly anticipate the implementation of new housing regulations, the continuation of citywide and subarea planning efforts and commence work on the required Periodic Update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan in 2026. Please keep a watchful eye for opportunities to engage and participate in the coming year.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.    

76 Units Developed Under Interim Ordinance

On Dec. 18, 2023, the bulk of the Building Opportunity for Housing interim ordinance expired. Originally approved in July 2022, the interim ordinance created opportunities for immediate Middle Housing development while the City worked on making permanent Comprehensive Plan and Development Code changes.

During the interim ordinance*:

• 76 units were built
• 455 units went through a Pre-Development process and may still be pursued under permanent regulations

* Numbers are through October 2023 with additional permit tracking expected early 2024

17C.400.040 Pilot Center and Corridors Development Standards section was extended to allow for the completion of additional work currently underway regarding Spokane’s Center and Corridors.

Developments with at least 50% of the square footage dedicated to residential uses within a Center and Corridor designation may take advantage of development bonuses until June 18, 2024. 

There is still time to register long-term rental properties online before the deadline. All rental properties should be registered either by landlords, property managers, or agents of the owner by Sunday, Dec. 31.

The City Council passed the Regulation of Residential Rental Housing ordinance in March 2023 with the intent of requiring business licenses for owners/operators of rental properties, creating a rental registry, and enforcing existing standards and habitability expectations. The ordinance is focused on preserving housing stock, maintaining safe living spaces, and creating and maintaining a database to track the rental units in our community. Read the City's Code Enforcement Page for more information.

The program is separate from one on short-term rentals in which monitoring will start in January.

City of Spokane

Plan Commission

Meeting Schedule

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month in City Hall

WHAT HAPPENED?

• Dec. 13 Public Workshop – Plan Commission discussed a potential Pedestrian Street designation for a portion of 29^th Avenue, received a debrief on the Building Opportunity for Housing initiative and a presentation on Spokane Transit Authority Connect 2035. [watch recording]
• Dec. 13 Public Hearing – Plan Commission recommended approval a resolution recognizing the Final South Logan Transit-Oriented Development Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement as the coordinated framework and community vision for encouraging mixed-use, walkable places in the South Logan area. [watch hearing recording]

WHAT'S NEXT?

• Wednesday, Dec. 27 Public Workshop –The Plan Commission meeting is cancelled in recognition of the Christmas holiday. The next Plan Commission meeting will be Jan. 10. 

We want your feedback!

Provide written comment in email to DevelopmentCode@spokanecity.org. This email list will be notified regarding additional opportunities for participation.

Sign up for Shaping Spokane Housing email updates and announcements here.

Interested in requesting an outreach event? Email us!

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 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 voice mail 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

You are receiving this email because you signed up via the Spokane Housing Action Plan website, have been identified as an individual or stakeholder in the discussion, or expressed interest in receiving planning project updates from the City of Spokane. Please feel free to share this email with others who are interested in receiving email announcements about this project. To unsubscribe, please email developmentcode@spokanecity.org.