Housing Update

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Dear Community Member,

Were you one of the more than 3,000 respondents who took the Housing Journey Survey? Planning staff has spent countless hours reviewing the thousands of responses to create a summary of what we heard. Read the report below with results and analysis to learn how others in the community experience housing.

Survey responses have helped shape the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment language and will provide invaluable insight for the upcoming development code changes.

Did you miss the survey? You can comment on the Building Opportunity for Housing project by emailing [email protected]. 

Commission recommends approval of rental code updates

At its May 10 public hearing, Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed Short-Term Rental code update to City Council. The proposed changes and Plan Commission’s recommended amendments, which are bolded, are:

• STRs will be allowed in all zones where a residential use is permitted.
• STR units will be allowed in residential buildings or mixed-use buildings with residential units.
• There is a proposed unit cap:

1. 1 STR allowed in a SF detached and attached. The dwelling units in a duplex can have a STR in each unit.
2. For multifamily buildings (3+ units) in residential zones the permit will limit to 20% of the total number of units
3. For multifamily buildings (3+ units) in non-residential zones the permit will be limited to 30% of the total number of units.
4. Rounding up to the next whole number would be allowed (e.g. 3.2 would allow for 4 units).
5. If a multifamily building wants more than 30% of the units to be for STR use, then the Change of Use process is required and any other applicable Building or Fire code requirements for that new use.

• Plan Commission directed staff to remove language requiring structures maintain their residential character, instead relying on other sections of the code to regulate possible changes to a building.
• Plan Commission removed the requirement to notify adjacent properties for STR permits in non-residential zones.
• A notarized Life Safety Compliance form will be required with each permit, in addition to obtaining a business license.
• STR permit fees are only increasing slightly. $200 permit fee for STRs in residential zones, $100 annual renewal fee. $300 for STRs in non-residential zones, $150 renewal fee.
• Fire inspectors will be completing a life safety review during standard inspections, for which they will charge $105/hour.

You can also see staff’s update to City Council at the May 15 Finance Committee meeting. [Finance Committee Video Link] City Council public hearing dates are TBD but are likely to be the end of May into early June.

A 30-day public comment period is open through June 7 on Comprehensive Plan amendments. Please send any comments to Kevin Freibott at [email protected]. The draft proposed language was updated as of May 17, 2023. A full listing of the most current proposed text amendments is available at the project website below. 

City of Spokane

Plan Commission

Meeting Schedule

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

WHAT HAPPENED?

• May 10: Plan Commission discussed revised draft language of the Building Opportunity for Housing Comprehensive Plan text amendments at their workshop. [Workshop Video Link] The Short Term Rental code updates were also heard and voted on at the Plan Commission public hearing [Hearing Video Link] 

WHAT'S NEXT?

• Wednesday, May 24: Plan Commission will hear the 2022 year in review and continue to hear draft language of the Building Opportunity for Housing Comprehensive Plan text amendments. 

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].