Picture Spokane ten years from now. A street that feels almost entirely residential today might have more townhomes, small multifamily buildings, or neighborhood businesses nearby. An underused property could become new housing. A part of town that currently feels pretty quiet could gradually become a little denser, more walkable, and more connected.
Those changes don't simply appear one morning. Many of them begin years earlier, inside documents most homebuyers would never think to read.
That's why the Spokane zoning changes now being explored through BUILDSpokane deserve more attention than they might seem to at first glance. Spokane is taking a comprehensive look at its Development Code while also planning for the city's next two decades, and even though the process is still underway, the conversations happening today could eventually influence what Spokane neighborhoods look and feel like tomorrow.
BUILDSpokane Sounds Technical. What It's Really About Is Spokane's Future.
The City of Spokane is undertaking a comprehensive update of Title 17 of the Spokane Municipal Code, commonly known as the Spokane Development Code. The code governs zoning, land use, development review, and many of the rules that determine what can actually be built on a property. BUILDSpokane is the name of the City's broader code-modernization project.
At the same time, Spokane is working on PlanSpokane 2046, its periodic Comprehensive Plan update. The Comprehensive Plan looks at where and how Spokane should grow over roughly the next 20 years, while the Development Code contains many of the regulations used to turn those broader goals into actual development. That's why the two efforts are moving alongside one another.
The Rules Behind What Can Be Built
Here's where zoning suddenly becomes a lot more relevant to somebody shopping for a home. The Spokane Development Code deals with things such as allowed uses, zoning districts, building standards, subdivision rules, setbacks, building heights, lot coverage, landscaping requirements, and development procedures.
In other words, it helps answer questions like: What kind of housing could go here? How much could be built on this lot? How close can structures sit to property lines? What approvals does a project need?
BUILDSpokane is reviewing that framework more broadly rather than simply adjusting one isolated rule at a time. The City's stated goals include modernizing the regulations, reducing barriers to development and redevelopment, improving the development-review process, and supporting priorities such as affordability and sustainability.
Zoning Districts and Allowed Uses Could Shape the Housing Mix
One of the later phases of BUILDSpokane is expected to address uses, zoning districts, and development and design standards. Those topics matter because zoning affects far more than whether a giant apartment building can suddenly appear next door.
It can influence the range of housing types a neighborhood is able to accommodate over time. Depending on what is ultimately proposed and adopted, future rules could affect opportunities for attached homes, multifamily housing, redevelopment, infill, or different combinations of residential and commercial uses.
That's a big reason we think buyers should pay attention. As real estate professionals working with buyers and relocation clients throughout the greater Inland Northwest, we've seen how often people fall in love with the home that's in front of them without asking enough questions about the land and neighborhood around it.
The Bigger Question Isn't “What's Here?” It's “What Could Be Here?”
Buying a house is usually an exercise in looking at what exists today: the houses next door, the traffic on the street, the nearby coffee shop, and the open lot around the corner. Zoning asks you to look one layer deeper.
Spokane's planning process offers a reminder that neighborhoods are not frozen in time. The City is currently gathering feedback on a draft Future Land Use Map as part of PlanSpokane 2046. The City describes future land use as a long-term vision, rather than necessarily a picture of what is built on a property today, and notes that land-use designations help inform future zoning and regulations.
Could More Housing Types Eventually Fit Into Certain Areas?
Potentially, but this is exactly where we need to separate possibility from policy.
BUILDSpokane is still an ongoing process. The City has completed an assessment of the existing Development Code and is working through potential amendments in phases. Administration and procedures are among the earlier areas being drafted, while uses, zoning, and development standards come later. Draft ideas are not the same thing as adopted zoning regulations.
Still, buyers may want to watch which areas are being discussed for different long-term land uses and what kinds of housing the eventual code could accommodate. That becomes especially relevant when you're choosing between neighborhoods based partly on their current density, character, or development patterns.
Could Redevelopment Become Easier?
That's another piece worth watching. The City specifically identifies reducing or eliminating barriers to development and redevelopment as one of BUILDSpokane's goals. Procedures matter here more than they sound like they do.
When development rules are confusing, inconsistent, or unnecessarily complicated, projects can become harder to navigate. A more streamlined code could eventually change how some redevelopment opportunities move through the system.
For investors, that could make certain properties worth watching. For homeowners, it might influence how nearby underused or aging sites change over time. And for buyers, it simply reinforces the value of looking beyond the listing photos and understanding the broader context around a property.
Could Your Favorite Quiet Corner Feel Different Someday?
Possibly. Not necessarily dramatically, and definitely not overnight. Changes in zoning, permitted uses, density, redevelopment patterns, and nearby commercial activity can gradually influence the personality of a neighborhood. More housing can bring more residents. Mixed-use development can bring shops and services closer to homes.
Redevelopment can transform properties that have looked the same for decades. None of that is automatically good or bad. It depends on what you're looking for.
Someone relocating to Spokane because they want walkability and easy access to neighborhood businesses may see future growth differently from a buyer who values lower-density surroundings. That's why we've helped regional and out-of-state buyers look at neighborhoods not only through today's lens but also through questions about future development, nearby land uses, access, and long-term fit.
Before You Choose a Spokane Neighborhood, Zoom Out From the House
You don't need to become a zoning expert before buying a home in Spokane. You probably don't want to spend your Saturday night reading municipal code either, and we can't blame you.
But there are a few questions worth asking before committing to a property: What is the surrounding land designated for? Are there vacant or redevelopment-ready parcels nearby? What kinds of uses are currently allowed? Are long-term land-use changes being discussed?
Following BUILDSpokane and PlanSpokane can give homeowners and buyers another useful layer of information when evaluating a neighborhood. It doesn't predict exactly what will happen on a particular property, but it can help you understand the direction local planning conversations are moving.
And that's really the point: Spokane real estate growth isn't only about today's listings and today's prices. It's also about the decisions being made now that may shape where people live, what gets built, and how neighborhoods evolve years from now.
The Spokane You're Buying Into Is Still Being Written
A home purchase is about the property in front of you, but it's also a bet on the neighborhood around it. Spokane's ongoing BUILDSpokane process is a good reminder that streets, housing choices, development patterns, and neighborhood character continue evolving long after closing day.
Just remember that this process is still underway. Potential amendments, draft maps, planning discussions, and recommendations should never be treated as if they are already adopted zoning. When a particular property is involved, current zoning and applicable regulations should always be verified directly with the City.
Thinking about buying, investing, relocating, or planning a future move in the Spokane area? Reach out to Real Estate Done Right. We'll help you look beyond the front door and understand the neighborhood, property differences, local market conditions, and bigger-picture factors that can help you make a more confident decision.
FAQs
What is BUILDSpokane?
BUILDSpokane is the City of Spokane's comprehensive effort to modernize Title 17, also known as the Spokane Development Code. The project is examining areas including development procedures, zoning, permitted uses, and development standards.
Are the Spokane zoning changes already approved?
No. BUILDSpokane is an ongoing process, and draft concepts or proposed amendments should not be confused with enacted zoning regulations. Different portions of the code are being addressed in phases, with opportunities for public review and feedback.
Why should Spokane homebuyers care about zoning?
Zoning and development regulations can influence what types of homes and other uses may be built nearby, along with factors such as building dimensions, setbacks, lot coverage, and development patterns. Understanding those rules can add useful context when evaluating a property or neighborhood.
What is the relationship between BUILDSpokane and PlanSpokane 2046?
PlanSpokane 2046 is Spokane's Comprehensive Plan update, which provides long-term guidance for the city's growth. BUILDSpokane is updating the regulatory framework that helps implement planning policies. The City is advancing the efforts together so its long-range goals and development regulations work in alignment.
How can I follow future BUILDSpokane updates?
The City maintains a BUILDSpokane project page with updates, documents, project information, and opportunities for community involvement. Residents can also follow PlanSpokane updates as the Comprehensive Plan process continues.
About Real Estate Done Right
Real Estate Done Right serves buyers, sellers, investors, and relocation clients throughout CDA and North Idaho, with a strong focus on helping out-of-state and regional buyers move confidently into the Inland Northwest.
Ranked #14 in Idaho and among the top 0.5% of agents nationwide, the team has sold more than 250 homes, averages 37 transactions per year, and has earned 85+ five-star Google reviews and 70+ five-star Zillow reviews.
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