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Spokane County proposes NR1/NR2 neighborhood zones and measures to enable small-lot housing
Summary
County planners outlined draft Neighborhood Residential (NR1, NR2) and Neighborhood Business zones designed to enable infill, cottage housing and adaptive reuse while protecting existing single-family areas; staff said the draft matrix tests allowance for cottage housing (including possible no-minimum-lot-size) and reduced reliance on PUDs.
At the open house Spokane County Planning staff presented draft zoning concepts intended to accommodate state middle-housing mandates and local housing needs while addressing infrastructure and environmental constraints.
Chesny described three draft zone types: NR1 (a protective, low-change option intended to preserve the character of existing single-family areas while allowing small shops or modest infill), NR2 (a master-planned, higher-mix zone for larger new UG additions), and a Neighborhood Business zone (to enable mixed-use redevelopment on commercial parcels and underused parking fields). He said the draft includes a matrix of attributes — lot sizes, coverage, design guidelines and public-realm expectations (sidewalks, parks, trails) — and that the code changes aim to provide predictable by-right options rather than relying on negotiated Planned Unit Development overlays.
Why it matters: The draft zoning could materially change how small-lot ownership, cottage housing and multiplexes are permitted in UGAs. A Habitat Community representative (Dana) said nonprofit builders’ primary constraint is access to land and urged smaller lot sizes and higher density in NR1 to support affordable homeownership models.
Supporting details: Staff said they are testing options including the possibility of no minimum lot sizes for cottage housing in appropriate zones and noted recent state policy changes (middle-housing standards and potential building-code shifts for multiplexes) that may affect county choices. The county plans to test the matrix with builders and post the full draft zoning document online for public review.
Ending: Staff encouraged continued input from builders, nonprofits and residents and said the matrix and full draft will be refined as part of the DEIS/comment process before formal planning commission review.
