Building & Planning
Important News.......
Amendment to Spokane County Subdivision Ordinance related to street connectivity
The Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on January 26, 2010 regarding a proposed amendment to the County's Subdivision Ordinance addressing street connectivity.
The County Commissioners are considering the proposal and a decision is pending.
Click here to view the Planning Commission Recommendations
Essential Public Facility Regional Siting Process Initiated to Select a Site for a New or Expanded Detention Facility/Jail.
Spokane County is initiating the Regional Siting Process for Essential Public Facilities (EPF) in order to select a site for a new or expanded Detention Facility/County Jail. If such a site is needed, it is also intended that the same EPF process undertaken to identify a site for the permanent Detention Facility would also be used for the selection of an interim Detention Facility site if needed.
Click here to view the Functional Analysis for Proposed Siting of Spokane County Correctional Facility. (Color copy - 12 mb)
Click here to view the Qualitative Analysis for the Proposed Siting of Spokane County Correctional Facility. (5 mb)
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
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.
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:
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Reasonable administration and enforcement of building and site development requirements;
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Processing project applications in a fair and efficient, customer-oriented manner; and
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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.
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.