City planners are updating Title 17 of the municipal code to align with the comprehensive plan, cut unclear or redundant rules, and make permitting more transparent and efficient. Public input now can shape draft regulations before they reach City Council.
The rewrite targets Title 17 (zoning, land use, development review) to remove redundancies, clarify unclear provisions, and streamline permitting.
Draft changes may touch missing-middle housing, affordability, energy requirements, and rules that affect development costs and feasibility.
Councilmember Michael Cathcart stresses early participation because revisions become harder once ordinances reach the Council.
# What's happening Spokane is rewriting its development code and is asking residents to weigh in by Nov. 15. The outreach uses the BUILDSpokane Community Survey. The rewrite focuses on Title 17 of the Spokane Municipal Code, which covers zoning, land use, and development review processes.
# Why the rewrite now City officials say the current code contains redundant and unclear language that has required interpretation over the years. The update aims to align development rules with the city's updated comprehensive plan, reduce barriers to development and redevelopment, and make permitting more transparent and efficient.
# What the code covers
# Issues on the table The city's review will identify outdated or unclear provisions and look for opportunities to simplify the development process. Specific areas mentioned include:
Councilmember Michael Cathcart told The Center Square he is concerned some climate-related requirements could increase the cost of housing or make needed projects harder to build. He said he has not been briefed on specific draft changes yet.
# How public input matters
# Practical next steps for residents If you want to influence the draft rules, complete the BUILDSpokane Community Survey before Nov. 15. Focus comments on specific code sections or the outcomes you want: housing types you favor, concerns about cost, or permitting experiences that should be improved. Targeted feedback is more useful than general statements.
# How this affects development and housing Changes to development regulations can change the cost and feasibility of residential and commercial projects, influencing housing affordability, choice, and access. Clarifying and removing redundant code can speed permitting and reduce interpretive delays for builders and neighbors alike.
# Who's involved The city planning staff and an outside consultant are drafting the changes. City Councilmembers, including Michael Cathcart, will review proposed ordinances after the draft phase and public input.
# Timeline Public comment is open now and closes Nov. 15. Drafts will move through public hearings and City Council consideration after the comment period, at which point changes become more difficult to make.
# Bottom line This is a focused opportunity to affect how Spokane regulates land use and construction. If you care about housing type, cost, permitting timelines, or specific zoning rules, provide specific feedback through the BUILDSpokane survey before Nov. 15 so your input can shape draft regulations before they reach the Council.
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