The intent of center and corridor regulations is to implement the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan for centers and corridors. These areas are intended to bring employment, shopping, and residential activities into shared locations and encourage, through new development and rehabilitation, new areas for economic activity.

New development and redevelopment is encouraged in these areas that promotes a relatively cohesive development pattern with a mix of uses, higher density housing, buildings oriented to the street, screened parking areas behind buildings, alternative modes of transportation with a safe pedestrian environment, quality design, smaller blocks and relatively narrow streets with on-street parking.

Type 1, 2 and 3 center and corridor zones are designated within the center and corridor core land use category and the core commercial areas of the centers and corridors shown on the land use plan map of the comprehensive plan.

The Type 4 mixed use transition zone is designated within the center and corridor transition land use category on the land use plan map of the comprehensive plan.

Center and corridor zones are not intended to be applied to property outside of the centers and corridors Land Use Plan Map designations. Type 1 (CC1), Type 2 (CC2), Type 3 (CC3) and Type 4 (CC4) center and corridor zones are identified on the official zoning map. The comprehensive plan center type is also designated on the official zoning map as follows: neighborhood center (NC), district center or corridor (DC) and employment center (EC).

Date Passed: Monday, January 29, 2024

Effective Date: Monday, January 29, 2024

ORD C36487 Section 1

1. Type 1 (CC1): Pedestrian Emphasis/Auto Accommodating.
   The Type 1 center and corridor zone promotes the greatest pedestrian orientation of the center and corridor zones. To accomplish this, some limitations are placed on auto-oriented activities and some types and the allowable size of some uses are controlled.
   
2. Type 2 (CC2): Pedestrian Enhanced/Auto Accommodating.
   The Type 2 center and corridor zone promotes new development and redevelopment that is pedestrian oriented while accommodating the automobile. Incentives allowing a higher floor area ratio in exchange for the provision of greater public amenities as land is developed and redeveloped are encouraged in these areas.
   
3. Type 3 (CC3): Center and Corridor Overlay Zone.
   The Type 3 centers and corridors zone is applied in areas that have pre-existing zoning designations that allow different uses and have different development standards than those prescribed for the Type 1 and 2 centers and corridors. This overlay zone is intended to allow development within these areas to take advantage of the opportunities allowed in the Type 1 and 2 centers and corridors. Development within Type 3 centers is either allowed to use the existing zoning regulations or may develop according to the standards for Type 1 or Type 2 centers and corridors.
   
4. Type 4 (CC4): Mixed Use Transition Zone.
   The Type 4 centers and corridors zone is applied in areas that are designated CC4 transition as a result of a neighborhood center and corridor planning process. The intent of this zone is to provide a transition of mixed uses (office, small retail and multi-family residential) between the core of the center or corridor and existing or designated residential areas. Residential uses are allowed outright. Residential uses are required to be mixed on the same parcel as proposed office and retail uses. Retail uses are limited to three thousand square feet per parcel. In neighborhood centers, retail uses will only be allowed on parcels with frontage on an arterial street. Nonresidential uses in the CC4 zone are not allowed within sixty feet of a single-family and two-family residential zones or further than three hundred feet (neighborhood center only) from a CC core comprehensive plan designation.

Date Passed: Monday, December 19, 2005

Effective Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006

ORD C33774 Section 1

1. The pedestrian street zoning designation promotes a pleasant and safe environment for pedestrians by applying additional standards and use limitations to parcels with center and corridor zoning (CC1, CC2, CC3, and CC4). Design features to promote a pedestrian friendly environment include minimal interruptions of the sidewalk by driveways, publicly usable site furnishing such as benches, tables, and bike racks, and visually interesting buildings close to the sidewalk.

2. The pedestrian street zoning designation can be applied to any street where adjacent parcels have center and corridor zoning classifications (CC1, CC2, CC3, and CC4).

Designated pedestrian streets are:

1. 1. North Market St between E Nebraska Ave and E Wabash Ave

1. 2. W Garland Ave between N Madison St and N Howard St

1. 3. E Buckeye Ave between N Hamilton St and N Denver St

1. 4. N Columbus St between E North Foothills Dr and E Marietta Ave

1. 5. N Monroe St between W Montgomery Ave and W Boone Ave

1. 6. W Broadway Ave between E Elm St and N Maple St

1. 7. E Sprague Ave between Madelia St and Napa St

1. 8. E Newark Ave/S Perry St between E 7^th Ave and 67.5’ north of the E 12^th Ave ROW

1. 9. S Grand Blvd between E Sumner Ave and E 14^th Ave

1. 10. E 29^th Ave between S Martin St and S Fiske St

The design standards and guidelines in SMC 17C.122.060 Attachment “A” and allowed uses in Table 17C.122-1 are applied to promote the pedestrian friendly environment along these streets.

Date Passed: Monday, January 29, 2024

Effective Date: Monday, January 29, 2024

ORD C36487 Section 2

SMC 6.05.100 allows a ten-year reduction on property tax tied to improvements on the tax parcel on which substantial rehabilitation is performed. Eligible properties must be listed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places.

Date Passed: Monday, December 19, 2005

Effective Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006

ORD C33774 Section 1

Administrative rules may be established by the planning director for the interpretation and administration of these regulations not inconsistent with the land use code and design standards and guidelines for centers and corridors.

Date Passed: Monday, December 19, 2005

Effective Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006

ORD C33774 Section 1

1. The document titled “Design Standards and Guidelines for Centers and Corridors” is adopted by reference as a part of the land use code for centers and corridors and incorporated as Attachment “A” to the land use code for centers and corridors. Except as provided in subsection (C) of this section, all projects must address these standards and guidelines. The applicant assumes the burden of proof to demonstrate how a proposed design addresses these standards and guidelines. For design standards and guidelines in “Attachment A” that are designated Requirement (R), an applicant may apply to the Design Review Board pursuant to the procedures set forth in chapter 17G.040 SMC, and the board may recommend approval of alternatives to strict compliance, upon a finding that the alternative satisfies the decision criteria for a design departure in SMC 17G.030.040.

2. The design standards and guidelines for all centers and corridors are also applicable to the sites located in the Type 4 mixed use transition zone. In addition, the design standards and guidelines for Type 1 centers and corridors are also applicable to the sites located in the Type 4 mixed use transition zone.

3. Residential development in Centers and Corridor Zones is subject to the residential design standards of SMC 17C.111.300-465 that are applicable to the proposed housing type.

Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2024

ORD C36459 Section 18

 The uses allowed in the Center and Corridor zones are shown in Table 17C.122.070-1.

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 1

1. Development that meets the following conditions may be allowed an additional fifteen feet of height to the maximum height standards in Section 17C.122.200 Development Standards Table.

1. Underground Parking.
   1. All off-street parking provided on the site meets one of the following conditions:

1. Parking areas are entirely below the grade of any adjacent streets; or
2. Surface parking or structured parking at ground level is located entirely behind buildings relative to all adjacent streets; or
3. Structured parking visible from the street is above ground level with non-parking uses lining the street.

2. Affordable Housing.
   1. At least twenty percent of the residential units are set aside for households making less than eighty percent of the Spokane County Area Median Income as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

3. Public Art.
   0.  
   1. May include sculptures, murals, inlays, mosaics, and other two-dimensional or three-dimensional works, as well as elements integrated into the design of a project (e.g., fountain) that are designed and crafted for the aesthetic improvement of the pedestrian realm.
      1. To receive the height bonus, public art must be documented at a value that is at least one percent of the value of construction.

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 3

The standards pertaining to the minimum required and maximum allowed number of auto parking spaces, minimum required number of bicycle parking spaces, parking lot placement, parking lot setbacks, and internal parking lot pedestrian connections are stated in chapter 17C.230 SMC, Parking and Loading.

Date Passed: Monday, December 19, 2005

Effective Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006

ORD C33774 Section 1

The standards for landscaping and screening are stated in chapter 17C.200 SMC, Landscaping and Screening.

Date Passed: Monday, December 19, 2005

Effective Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006

ORD C33774 Section 1

1. Purpose.

The fence standards promote the positive benefits of fences without adversely impacting the community or endangering public or vehicle safety. Fences near streets are kept low in order to allow visibility into and out of the site and to ensure visibility for motorists. Fences in any required side or rear setback are limited in height so as not to conflict with the purpose for the setback.

2. Type of Fences.

The standards apply to walls, fences, and screens of all types, whether open, solid, wood, metal, wire, masonry, or other material.

3. Location, Height, and Design.

1. 1. Street Setbacks.

No fence or other structure is allowed within twelve feet from the back of the curb, consistent with the required sidewalk width of SMC 17C.130.230.

1. 1. 1. Measured From Front Lot Line.

Fences up to three and one-half feet high are allowed in a required street setback that is measured from a front lot line.

1. 1. 2. Measured From a Side Lot Line.

Fences up to six feet high are allowed in required setback that is measured from a side lot line.

1. 1. 3. Fences shall not reduce the required setback width of SMC 17C.130.210.

1. 2. Side or Rear Structure Setbacks.

Fences up to six feet high are allowed in required side or rear setbacks except when the side or rear setback abuts a pedestrian connection. When the side or rear setback abuts a pedestrian connection, fences are limited to three and one-half feet in height.

1. 3. Not In Setbacks.

The height for fences that are not in required setbacks is the same as the regular height limits of the zone.

1. 4. Sight-obscuring Fences and Walls.

Any required or nonrequired sight-obscuring fences, walls, and other structures over three and one-half feet high, and within fifteen feet of a street lot line shall either be placed on the interior side of a L2 see-through buffer landscaping area at least five feet in depth (See chapter 17C.200 SMC, Landscaping and Screening), or meet the treatment of blank walls intent outlined in SMC 17C.122.060 – Initial Design Standards and Guidelines for Center and Corridors.

4. Prohibited Fences.

1. 1. No person may erect or maintain a fence or barrier consisting of or containing barbed, razor, concertina, or similar wire except that up to three strands of barbed wire may be placed atop a lawful fence exceeding six feet in height above grade.

1. 2. No person may maintain a fence or barrier charged with electricity.

1. 3. A fence, wall, or other structure shall not be placed within a public right-of-way without an approved covenant as provided in SMC 17G.010.160, and any such structure is subject to the height requirement for the adjoining setback.

1. 4. No fence may be closer than twelve feet to the curb.

5. Visibility at Intersections.

6. A fence, wall, hedge, or other improvement may not be erected or maintained at the corner of a lot so as to obstruct the view of travelers upon the streets.

1. 1. Subject to the authority of the traffic engineer to make adjustments and special requirements in particular cases, all fences, vegetation, and other features within the Clear View Triangle defined in SMC17A.020.030 shall be maintained to keep a vertical clear view zone between three and eight feet from ground level

1. 2. Enclosures for Pools, Hot Tubs, or Ponds.

1. 3. A person maintaining a swimming pool, hot tub, pond, or other impoundment of water exceeding five thousand gallons and eighteen inches or more in depth and located on private property is required to construct and maintain an approved fence by which the pool or water feature is enclosed and inaccessible by small children.

1. 4. The required pool enclosure must be at least fifty-four inches high and may be a fence, wall, building, or other structure approved by the building services department.

1. 5. If the enclosure is a woven wire fence, it is required to be built to discourage climbing.

1. 6. No opening, except a door or gate, may exceed four inches in any dimension.

1. 7. Any door or gate in the pool enclosure, except when part of the occupied dwelling unit, must have self-closing and self-locking equipment by which the door or gate is kept secure when not in use. A latch or lock release on the outside of the door or gate must be fifty-four inches above the ground.

1. 8. Outside of the door or gate must be at least fifty-four inches above the ground.

7. Reference to Other Standards.

Building permits are required by the Development Services Department for all fences including the replacement of existing fences. A permit is not required to repair and existing fence.

Date Passed: Monday, October 20, 2025

Effective Date: Friday, November 28, 2025

ORD C36753 Section 17

In Type 1, 2, and 3 center and corridor zones signs shall comply with the requirements of chapter 17C.240 SMC.

Date Passed: Monday, April 25, 2011

Effective Date: Friday, June 3, 2011

ORD C34717 Section 12

The standards for drive-through facilities are stated in chapter 17C.325 SMC, Drive-through Facilities.

Date Passed: Monday, December 19, 2005

Effective Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006

ORD C33774 Section 1

Development standards that apply within Center and Corridor Zones are provided in Table 17C.122.200-2 Center and Corridor Development Standards

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 6

1. Height.

The maximum height standards for all structures are stated in Table 17C.122.200-2. The building height shall be measured using the following method (see Figure 17C.122.210-A):

1. 1. 0.  
      1. Building height is the vertical distance from the average grade to the highest point of the roof or structure.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Underground portions of the structure are not included in height calculations. The height of the structure shall be calculated from the point at which the sides meet the surface of the ground.

1. 1. 2.  
      3. “Average grade” means the average of the ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. Where the ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference point shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or where the lot line is more than 6 feet from the building, use the reference point between the structure and a point 6 feet from the building.

1. 1. 3.  
      4. Measurements shall be taken at the existing grade or finished grade, whichever is lower.

1. 1. 4.  
      5. Depressions such as window wells, stairwells for exits required by other codes, “barrier-free” ramps on grade, and vehicle access driveways into garages shall be disregarded in determining structure height when in combination they comprise less than fifty percent of the facade on which they are located. In such cases, the grade for height measurement purposes shall be a line between the grades on either side of the depression.

1. 1. 5.  
      6. Public amenities allowing additional height can be found in Section 17C.122.090 Public Amenities Allowing Bonus Height.

1. 1. 6.  
      7. For buildings over 70 feet tall, Chapter 17C.250 Tall Building Standards apply.

Figure 17C.122.210-A

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 7

1. Purpose.

The following exception to the maximum building height standards is to provide a gradual transition and enhance the compatibility between the more intensive center zones and adjacent low and moderate residential zones.

2. Applicability.

For all development adjacent to R1 or R2 zoned properties the maximum building height is as follows:

1. Starting at a height of 40 ft. at R1 and R2 property boundaries, additional building height may be added at a ratio of 2 to 1 (two feet of additional building height for every one foot of additional horizontal distance from the closest R1 or R2 zoned property line).
2. The building height transition requirement ends 150 ft. from the R1 or R2 zoned property line. Beyond the transition, the maximum building height of the zone applies.

Figure 17C.122.220-A: Height Transition

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 8

0. 1.  
1. Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

FAR standards are stated in Table 17C.122.200-2. FAR is the measurement of the building’s gross floor area in relation to the size of the lot. A structure that has the same gross floor area as the area of the lot is considered to have a FAR of 1, if the structure has half the gross floor area as the area of the lot the FAR is 0.5. In addition to other dimensional standards FAR is used to ensure the intensity of the structure is appropriate to the zoning.

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 9

1. Setbacks.

Setback Standards are stated in Table 17C.122.200-2. Setbacks in Centers and Corridors ensure that there is adequate space between the structure’s facade and the street allowing for ample space for the pedestrian realm.

1. 1. 0.  
      1. The minimum setback from street lot lines is zero feet and buildings shall be no closer than twelve feet from the back of the curb except as provided in 17C.122.240(A)(2).

1. 1. 1.  
      2. This width may be reduced, by approval of the Planning Director, if the existing sidewalk is less than twelve feet wide between the back of the curb and the existing building setback line of the adjacent building(s). In no case shall the setback be reduced below nine feet from the back of the curb.

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 10

1. Sidewalks.

1. Sidewalks shall be at least twelve feet wide and consist of a clear walking path at least seven feet wide (in addition to a planting zone for street trees per SMC 17C.200.050) except as provided in 17C.122.240(A)(2).

Date Passed: Monday, August 12, 2024

Effective Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024

ORD C36556 Section 11