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Consultants outline wide-ranging Title 17 code modernization to simplify zoning, procedures and online access
Summary
Consultants presented a draft assessment of Spokane's Title 17 code, proposing four focus areas — zoning district rework, clearer development review procedures, consolidated design standards, and improved online usability — and asked commissioners for feedback as drafting begins in 2026.
Consultants working on Spokane’s Title 17 code modernization told the Plan Commission on March 11 that they will reorganize and streamline zoning, development standards and review procedures to make the code easier to use and better aligned with the city’s policy goals.
The consultant said the assessment identifies four key focus areas: fine-tuning zoning districts and allowed uses, clarifying development review procedures, consolidating and simplifying design standards, and making the code more user friendly online. “This is our big moment to step back, take all the input we gathered and deep dive into Title 17,” a lead presenter said, urging commissioners to review the draft assessment posted on the Build Spokane/Engage Spokane site.
Why it matters: Commissioners were repeatedly told the current code is difficult to navigate and that inconsistent use tables, repeated procedural steps and guideline-style provisions in the code create uncertainty for applicants and staff. The consultants recommended collapsing or deleting unused or redundant zones, creating clearer use tables (permitted versus conditional uses), and moving guideline material out of the ordinance into a design manual.
Among the policy ideas discussed was limiting the creation of new freestanding surface parking lots and exploring amortization periods for long‑standing surface lots to encourage redevelopment. The consultants explained amortization as “looking at a timeframe where you can assure someone who has an existing surface parking lot…you'll get your investment back…but we're not going to let you carry on forever.”
They also recommended reducing reliance on planned-unit developments except for exceptional projects by creating standard zone districts that accomplish similar goals, and they proposed thresholds to streamline which applications require public hearings versus administrative review — for example, front-loading a site development plan (SDP) review for larger multifamily or nonresidential projects while keeping smaller, lower‑risk projects on a simpler track.
Commissioners pressed on practical issues such as predevelopment conference staffing, coordination across multiple city departments, timing of reviews, and how code changes would be applied to existing development. The consultants said they will start drafting procedures first, then development and design standards, and then zoning districts and uses, with steering‑committee review along the way.
Next steps: Staff and consultants asked the commission for reactions to the draft assessment and said a public‑facing draft will follow the internal staff draft. The presenters said Title 17 will be linked into a new online code publishing platform so users can search, click hotlinks to standards and follow application flowcharts.
The commission did not take formal action on code changes at the meeting; staff asked commissioners to submit written feedback as drafting proceeds.
