The Spokane Plan Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend City Council adopt updates to the Spokane Municipal Code to implement state House Bill 1998 (2024) and regulate “co‑living” housing consistent with state law.

Brandon Whitmarsh, speaking for staff, summarized the proposal and the state mandate: “co living is a type of residential development that is made up of sleeping units that share kitchen facilities,” he said, and explained the local package updates definitions and development standards to match the state law. Whitmarsh said the adoption deadline in state law is Dec. 31 and that the staff recommendation is to forward the code amendments to City Council for decision in December.

Under the state statute cited in the presentation (RCW 36.70A.535 as referenced by staff), jurisdictions that allow six or more dwelling units on a lot must also permit co‑living. Whitmarsh explained several key local effects of the proposed code: sleeping units would be counted as one quarter of a dwelling unit for density calculations; co‑living would be allowed in all zones except residential agriculture and some industrial areas more than a quarter‑mile from the river; staff recommended no additional local open‑space requirements; and short‑term rental limits for co‑living would match other multi‑unit residential developments — a maximum of 20% in residential zones and 30% in nonresidential zones, Whitmarsh said.

A commissioner asked how common areas would be maintained; Whitmarsh said, “There is not” a specific maintenance regulation in the proposed package and noted the planning workshops had discussed leaving maintenance to operators and contract arrangements rather than prescriptive local standards. Commissioners expressed broad support for the amendments while also noting concerns about security and shared facilities; several commissioners said the code change is an important tool to expand affordable housing choices such as single‑room‑occupancy and boarding‑house styles.

Staff reported a SEPA Determination of Non‑Significance published Oct. 2 and said no public comments were received on the proposal. The commission moved and seconded a recommendation to City Council; the motion passed 7-0. Whitmarsh said the matter will go to City Council for final action in December.