Housing Update

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Dear Community Member,

Thank you for your continued interest in the City of Spokane’s housing initiatives. Planning staff is continuing work on Building Opportunity for Housing, as well as proposed Short Term Rentals code and process changes. Stay tuned for an upcoming pre-reviewed plan catalog and site plan handbook that will make Missing Middle Housing even easier to building in Spokane.

In case you missed Mayor Woodward’s 2023 State of the City address, here is a highlight about the current need for housing and the City’s efforts to address that need that was shared.

Spokane experienced its second population boom in the 30s and 40s as its rail connections and growing industry lent itself well to wartime efforts. As the nation came together during World War II to support the front lines, thousands of workers in Spokane were part of that effort. Surprisingly, so were everyday homeowners.

Did you know a building can look the same but actually contain drastically different housing types? The main difference between a duplex, a townhouse, and a condominium is how the structures are segmented into ownership.

A duplex is a building with two units all on one lot. Meaning, one person owns both units and the land. Typically, one or both of the units are a rental property. 

A townhome, or attached home, is a single-family home on its own lot. It is attached to one or more other townhomes, which are also on their own lot. In this case, each property owner owns the townhome and the land it is on, and each unit sells independent of its neighbors. 

Condominiums, or condos, are another housing type. In this case, someone owns the “air space” within their unit. However, they do not own the exterior of the building, the lot, or any shared spaces. Instead, there is typically a Homeowner’s Association established to own and care for those spaces. 

City of Spokane

Plan Commission

Meeting Schedule

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

WHAT HAPPENED?

• Feb. 22 Workshop – Plan Commission heard an update on the Short-Term Rental code amendments, another focus of the Shaping Spokane Housing initiative. Watch the video recording here.

WHAT'S NEXT?

• Wednesday, March 7: Plan Commission will tour the new STA City Line, expected to open in July of this year, at its workshop. No meeting at City Hall Briefing Center is planned. 

We want your feedback!

Provide written comment in email to [email protected]. 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-Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• In person - 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - 3rd Floor of City Hall
• Online - Skip a trip to City Hall with online permitting, an email to [email protected] 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 [email protected].