City-County of Spokane Historic Preservation

Demolition Ordinance and Permit Review

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the demolition ordinance?

The demolition ordinance prohibits the demolition of historic buildings if it is for the purpose of surface parking.

2) When did the new demolition ordinance go into effect?

The demolition ordinance went into effect as of September 9, 2005.

3) What are considered historic buildings?

Historic buildings are those properties listed individually on the National or local Spokane Register of Historic Places, listed as contributing, historic properties in a local or National Register Historic District (map), and those properties eligible for listing or listed on the local or National Register which are located in the Central Business District.

To find out if a building is historic, you may call the city at (509) 625-6983.

For a list of National and Spokane Register Historic Districts, click here.

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4) How are demolition permits processed?

Step 1: The demolition permit is filed with the Building Clerk.

Step 2: The Building Clerk notifies the Historic Preservation Office.

Step 3: The Historic Preservation Office determines if the property is designated as a historic building.

Step 4: If the property is a historic building, additional information on the nature of the demolition will be requested. If the property is not a historic building, the demolition permit will be issued within 5 days.

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5) Are there exceptions?

There are exceptions to the ordinance, but you must first file an application for a demolition permit.

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Applications are evaluated to see if they meet the following exceptions:

The building has been declared hazardous by the Fire Marshal or a Building Official;
If the property to be demolished is for the renovation of an adjacent historic property or structure that requires surface parking;
If plans are in place to replace the structure with another structure with a footprint square footage equal to or greater than the footprint square footage of the structure to be demolished;
Or if a property owner can demonstrate that compliance with the ordinance would cause an economic hardship.

6) What qualifies as “economic hardship”?

Economic hardship is determined by a formula listed under the demolition ordinance, municipal code SMC Section 17D.040.230.

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7) How long will it take to get a determination of “economic hardship” and who makes the decision?

An Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the mayor makes the decision of economic hardship. The committee has 30 days to decide.

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8) Is there an extra fee for the city to review historic buildings for demolition permits?

No.

To view Section 17D.040.230 Demolition Permits for Historic Structures in the Central Business District and National Register Historic Districts, click here.

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9) How can I find out what demolition permits have been issued by the City?

All demolition permit applications are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Office prior to issuance of the permit. To view an updated list of those demolition permits issued and whether or not the properties were historic, click here.

For a complete list of demolition permits from 2006, click here.

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