Phone: 477-3675
Public Works Links
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Related Resources |
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Page Topics
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Introduction |
We are all part of a larger community. The activities we pursue may affect others. Our actions can enhance or degrade the property and lives of our neighbors. Often violations of development and other county regulations are simply a matter of not knowing the rules. A polite and neighborly “heads up” to a uninformed property owner many times will end a problem. When it doesn't, it may be necessary to file a formal written complaint with the proper government agency of jurisdiction. Discovering who is responsible to investigate a specific question or issue may take some effort. The following information is intended to help in that effort.
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Building and Planning Enforcement Responsililities |
The Department of Building and Planning encompasses a broad range of responsibilities. Although not always immediately obvious, the common threads that tie our enforcement activities together are the construction, use, occupancy and maintenance of buildings and structures, the use of land, protection of critical areas and grading activity on private properties within the unincorporated areas of Spokane County.
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Common Issues We Provide Assistance For |
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Abandoned/junk vehicles on private property
- Alterations and Additions
- Changing the use of existing buildings
- Code violations: mechanical, plumbing, fire, building, energy codes
- Construction
- Construction of private roads and driveways
- Cutting & filling of a site
- Dangerous, vacant or abandoned buildings
- Demolition
- Dependent relative quarters
- Excessive noise levels in industrial zones
- Failure to construct a permitted project in accordance with approved plans
- Failure to maintain landscaping or stormwatercontainment features required as part of a building permit
- Fence placements within front yards
- Fences over 6 feet
- Fire Sprinklers/Alarms
- Grading
- Home Occupations
- Illegal signs (too large, too many, improper location)
- Incorrect or missing property addressing
- Intrusive outdoor lighting
- Land Use violations
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- Mechanical (Heating/AC)
- Mobile Home Replacement
- Plumbing
- Re-roofing/siding/window replacement
- Shoreline and Critical Area Violations
- Signs
- Site clean-up after fire or demolition
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Other Agencies Handeling Complaints |
Many complaints we receive are actually handled by other agencies. A summary of common complaint topics and agencies that may be able to answer questions or conduct investigations is provided below:
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Spokane County Animal Control
509-477-2535
- Loose, abandoned, abused, neglected domestic animals
- Barking, aggressive, dangerous/pets
- Confined wild animals without permits
Spokane County Air Pollution Control
509-477-4727
www.scapca.org
- Emission of contaminates to the air (fiber glassing operations, toxic's, etc.)
- Dust (construction, sandblasting, tracking dirt onto paved roads, etc.)
- Smoke (woodstoves, outdoor burning, field burning, incinerators, etc.)
- Odors (fumes, commercial composting, etc.)
- Renovation, demolition and asbestos
- Spray painting
Spokane County Division of
Engineering & Roads
509-477-3600
- Abandoned vehicles, junk, weeds, signage, blocked visibility in road right-of-ways
- Public sidewalks
- Road hazards, potholes, ice and snow
- Road killed animals
- Traffic signage and devices
- Stormwater run-off issues, drywells
- Floodplain issues
- Encroachments onto public roads
- Culverts within roadways, ditches
- Moving permits for structures over public roads
- General road maintenance issues
Spokane County Regional Health
509-324-1560
- Illegal dumping, burial, or accumulation of trash/waste materials
- Private sewage disposal
- Temporary toilets
- Food handling and preparation, restaurant inspection
- Rodent and insect infestations
- Lead paint
- Private wells and water supplies
- School inspections
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Crime Check 509-456-2233
Emergencies—911
- Violent or illegal conduct and behavior
- Excessive noise or commotion at inappropriate times/locations
- Property damage (arson, graffiti, intentional destruction)
- Drug houses, methadone labs, sale, possession, manufacturing
- Auto chop shops
- Prostitution, lewd behavior, pornography
WA State Department of Ecology
509-456-2926
- Water rights, diversion, extraction
- Community wells and water systems
- Water quality issues for streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands
WA State Department Social & Health Services
1-800-562-6078 (Complaints)
1-800-902-8400 (General Information)
- License/monitor Adult Care Homes
- License/monitor Day Care Facilities
- Boarding Homes
- Nursing Homes
- Child Protective Services (363-3333)
- Adult Protective Services (363-9400)
WA State Dept. of Labor & Industries
509-324-2600
- Electrical work without permits
- Electrical hazards
- Elevator certifications/inspection
- Factory assembled homes
- Interior or structural modifications to mobile homes
- Contractor licensing and bonding
- Workplace safety
- Boiler inspection
WA State Liquor Control Board
888-838-3956
- Licensing of bars and retail liquor outlets
- Proximity to schools, churches, etc.
WA State Dept. of Natural Resources
509-684-7484
Fires — 1-800-562-6010
- Timber Harvest and Forest Management
- Logging road construction
- Chemical applications to forest lands
- Protection of streams, wetlands, watersheds
- Fires on forest and range lands
Local Fire Districts
(See your local phone directory)
Emergencies — 911
- Hazardous wastes, chemical spills, explosives
- Vacant, unsecured buildings
- Improperly maintained exits, exit lights, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and alarms
- Blocked hydrants, standpipes, fire lanes
- Inadequate emergency vehicle access to property improvements
- Gas leaks
- Burn permits
City of Spokane
625-6083
- Solid Waste in all areas of the County call 456-7403
Cities and Towns
Individuals Cities and towns in the County should be contacted for issues not addressed above that lie within the corporate limits of the City or Town.
- Airway Heights...............244-5578
- Cheney...........................235-7211
- Deer Park.......................276-8802
- Fairfield.......................... 283-2414
- Latah.............................. 286-3471
- Medical Lake..................299-7712
- Millwood........................ 924-0960
- Rockford.........................291-4716
- Spangle............................245-3260
- Waverly...........................283-4122
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Frequently Asked Questions |
How do I Register a Complaint?
With the exception of unsafe or dangerous buildings or structures, if you feel an alleged activity is appropriate for investigation by our Division, you must provide us with a signed complaint either by letter or on a completed form available from our office. Written complaints must include an address or other identification, owner’s name (if known), and a complete description of your concern. You must include your name, address and phone number together with a request for confidentiality if you feel your personal safety or property would be endangered by disclosure of your identity. Anonymous or phoned complaints can not be acted upon unless an immediate life safety issue is present.
What Happens After a Complaint is Filed?
Once a complaint is received in our office it is reviewed for appropriateness and adequacy of information. Issues must be inside Spokane County and outside the city limits of Spokane or other incorporated areas. A quick background check is conducted. Inappropriate complaints are discarded, returned to the complainant or forwarded to the correct agency. A sequence of actions then occurs: The site is inspected, the complaint is verified and notification is then sent to the property owner. If the owner complies the complaint file is closed. If no compliance takes place the complaint is then forwarded to the county prosecutors for legal action.
Initial action on a complaint will normally begin within 2 or 3 days. An inspection of the site will occur within 5 working days. Resolutions however, can take weeks, months and sometimes longer depending on the complexity and legal ramifications involved.
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Forms and Documents |
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(220kb)
