Building & Planning
Important News.......
The Spokane County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on November 12, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioner's hearing room to consider verbal and written testimony in support of or in opposition to an amendment to the Spokane County Zoning Code Chapter 14.510.200 - "Allowed Exceptions".
Click here for more information and to view supporting documentation.
PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE SPOKANE COUNTY ZONING CODE
10-Year Urban Growth Area Review
Spokane County and the Cities of Spokane, County are reviewing the County's Urban Growth Area to determine the need for accommodating future growth. Click the link below for more information.
10-Year Urban Growth Area Update Process Summary
Public Comments - October 2009 Workshops
Revised Office and Inspection Hours
Due to declining construction and land development activity, Department office and inspection hours have been changed. New hours of operation are:
7:30am - 4:00pm
Monday through Thursday only
We will no longer be open on Friday
Full services will be available during the indicated hours. If you have comments or suggestions regarding this schedule, please submit them via our BUILDING & PLANNING SCHEDULE COMMENTS form.
Rural Cluster Development Regulations
A public hearing was held by the Spokane County Planning Commission on May 14, 2009. The hearing considered amendments to the zoning code including revisions to Chapter 14.820, Rural Cluster Development and Chapter 14.616, Resource Lands. The proposal also considered an amendment to the Spokane County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4, Natural Resource Lands, Policy NR.3.15. The Planning Commission deliberated on the proposal and provided a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.
A public hearing before the County Commissioners was held August 18, 2009. A decision by the County Commissioners is pending.
Brochure summarizing the proposal
Planning Commission Recommendation
For more information contact Steve Davenport, Senior Planner, AICP at (509) 477-7221.
Mission Statement
We are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the public health, safety and welfare by guiding the physical growth of Spokane County and providing for safety and compatibility in the built environment through:
- Reasonable administration and enforcement of building and site development requirements;
- Processing project applications in a fair and efficient, customer-oriented manner; and
- Enhancing professionalism in staff.
Location
Department of Building and Planning
Public Works Building
1026 W. Broadway Avenue
Spokane, WA, 99260
How to Reach Us
Phone: (509) 477-3675
Fax: (509) 477-4703
1-800-27CODES
Contact Us
Randy Vissia, Building Director
John Pederson, Planning Director
Pam Knutsen, Administrative Services
Building & Planning Organizational Chart
Hours
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Thursday (excluding holidays)
About Us
Our team of professional administrative, technical, and support staff carry out responsibilities involving administration and enforcement of County and State Codes related to regional comprehensive land use planning, development, construction and alteration of buildings within the County. A dedicated fund is used exclusively to finance department operations, affording us flexibility in dealing with the fluctuating demands for services that meet the unique needs of our community.
The Permit Center, located on the main floor of the Public Works Building, is designed to provide for the majority of County land use, development, permitting and construction plan review functions at a single, convenient location. In most cases, the Center eliminates the necessity of traveling to other buildings for information, clearances or approvals.
Who Needs Codes and Regulations?
Whether at home, work, school, or play, we rely daily on the compatibility of adjacent uses, the mitigation of environmental concerns and the safety of structures that surround us. The consumer need for adequate levels of public services at home and work, together with the public need for coordinated land use planning efforts, underscores the need for modern land use and construction codes and their administration.
Washington state and local governments have enacted laws pertaining to these matters to protect the health and welfare of its citizens and the overall environment. State law requires comprehensive land use planning, with the development of common goals and coordinated growth plans among local governments within the County.
Reducing urban sprawl, creating efficiency in urban development and transportation systems, affordable housing, protection of the environment and open space and controlling the subdivision of land are all objectives of these planning efforts. State law also requires construction code enforcement services, including permits, plan reviews, and site inspections.
Code enforcement programs in the community are a key to successfully implementing land use plans, providing life safety in the use and occupancy of buildings, controlling fire and property losses, and reducing structure insurance rates. Today's codes also address issues of accessibility and energy conservation.
Whether it's new development, construction or the repair/alteration of existing buildings, the Building and Planning Department plays an invaluable role in ensuring the economic well-being and safety of the entire community.