USA Site Plans
Spokane residential permit guide
Site Plan for Permit in Spokane, WA: Residential Site Plan Drawings
Planning a home addition, new house, garage, deck, shed, pool or other residential project in Spokane? A clear site plan helps city reviewers understand where the proposed work will be located and how it relates to the complete property.
The drawing can show property boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction, setback dimensions, driveways, parking, easements, drainage and other site conditions needed for residential permit review.
Quick answer
A Spokane residential site plan is a scaled overhead drawing showing the lot, existing structures, proposed project and distances to the property lines. Spokane’s general residential checklist identifies lot dimensions, building setbacks, easements, driveways, structure footprints and a north arrow as basic site-plan information.
Confirm the permitting authority first
A property can have a Spokane mailing address without being located inside the City of Spokane. Before preparing the permit package, confirm whether the project is reviewed by the City of Spokane, Spokane County, Spokane Valley or another local authority.
What Is a Residential Site Plan?
A residential site plan is a scaled, top-down drawing of a parcel of land. It shows where buildings and exterior improvements are positioned in relation to the property boundaries.
A floor plan shows rooms, doors and interior spaces. A site plan shows how the house and proposed project fit on the lot.
A permit reviewer can use the drawing to understand:
- The overall shape and dimensions of the property
- The location of the existing residence
- The size and position of the proposed construction
- The distances between construction and property lines
- The separation between existing and proposed structures
- How vehicles and pedestrians access the property
- Whether easements, drainage or critical areas may affect the work
For a broader explanation, read
Everything You Need to Know About a Site Plan
.
Spokane Home Projects That May Need a Site Plan
A site plan is commonly requested when residential work changes the building footprint, exterior property layout, parking or access.
Bedrooms, kitchens, family rooms, attached garages and other extensions that enlarge the existing residence.
New residential buildings requiring coordinated site, architectural, structural, drainage and energy-code information.
Attached or detached vehicle structures that can affect setbacks, driveway access and building coverage.
Outdoor structures involving footprints, stairs, landings, setbacks and connections to the house.
Storage buildings, workshops and other detached structures proposed within a side or rear yard.
Attached or detached living spaces requiring building placement, access, utility and zoning review.
Pools, equipment, decks, barriers, utilities and distances to structures and property lines.
Projects involving slopes, excavation, fill, stormwater or changes to existing ground levels.
A minor interior alteration may not require the same site information. The exact submission documents depend on the scope of work and the conditions affecting the property.
Spokane’s General Residential Site Plan Checklist
The City of Spokane publishes a general residential site-plan checklist for additions, remodels, garages, decks and other common home projects.
The checklist identifies:
- Lot dimensions
- Building setback dimensions
- Location and dimensions of easements
- Driveway location and dimensions
- Footprints of proposed structures
- Footprints of existing structures, including decks
- Distances between structures and property lines
- A north arrow
Official source:
City of Spokane General Residential Permit Site Plan
.
Show the complete lot
A drawing that shows only the proposed deck, garage or addition may not give reviewers enough information. Include the full property outline, existing residence, other structures, access and relevant restrictions.
What Should a Spokane Site Plan Show?
The required level of detail depends on the project, but a useful residential site plan commonly includes the following elements.
| Site-plan element | What the drawing should communicate |
|---|---|
| Property boundaries | The complete parcel outline and available boundary dimensions. |
| Existing residence | The house footprint and its position within the lot. |
| Existing improvements | Garages, carports, sheds, decks, porches, pools, driveways and retaining walls. |
| Proposed construction | A clearly labeled footprint showing the proposed location, length and width. |
| Setback dimensions | The shortest distances from the proposed work to the front, side and rear property lines. |
| Building separation | Distances between the proposed project, house and other buildings where relevant. |
| Street and access | Street names, alleys, driveways, curb access, parking and pedestrian routes. |
| Easements | Known utility, drainage, access and other recorded easements. |
| Drainage | Surface-water direction, drainage facilities and other relevant site information when required. |
| Drawing information | Property address, scale, north arrow, notes, labels and revision date. |
Site Plans for a New House or Duplex
Spokane’s new single-family residence and duplex checklist contains more detailed site-plan requirements than the basic general residential form.
The listed minimum information includes:
- Property address
- Property lines and dimensions
- North arrow
- Drawing scale
- Location and dimensions of existing structures
- Location and dimensions of proposed structures
- Distances from structures to property lines
- Main driveway location and dimensions
- Site drainage plan
- Required parking-space locations
- Number of parking stalls inside a proposed garage
- Street names
- Location of an alley
- Curb-to-property-line dimensions
The city’s checklist identifies an approved site-plan sheet size between 8½ by 11 inches and 11 by 17 inches for this type of residential application.
Official source:
Spokane New Single-Family Residence and Duplex Guide
.
Other Plans for New Residential Construction
A site plan explains where the house will be built. It does not replace the construction drawings needed to explain how the building will be constructed.
Spokane’s new-residence checklist identifies a full plan set containing at least:
Architectural drawings
Floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, dimensions and the proposed use of each space.
Structural information
Footing and foundation plans, framing information and engineering where prescriptive construction does not apply.
Energy documentation
Washington State Energy Code worksheets, glazing information and heating-system sizing documents.
The city’s application also asks new-house applicants to identify whether the property is affected by a floodplain, shoreline or wetland within 200 feet, or a steep slope of 30% or greater.
Residential Additions and Remodels
Spokane’s general residential permit application covers projects including remodels, additions, second-story additions, attached garages and detached garages.
The city’s form states that the application must be accompanied by plans and a site plan. It also notes that hand-drawn plans may be acceptable for some general residential projects.
For an addition, the site plan should clearly show:
- The complete existing house footprint
- The exact proposed addition footprint
- The addition’s length and width
- Front, side and rear setback dimensions
- Distances to other structures
- Existing decks, porches and stairs
- The driveway and required parking
- Known easements
- Relevant drainage conditions
Official source:
Spokane General Residential Permit Application
.
Why Setback Dimensions Matter
A setback is the distance between a structure and a property boundary.
Setback dimensions help Spokane determine whether the proposed work complies with the development standards applying to the parcel.
The correct requirement can depend on:
- The property’s zoning district
- The housing type
- Whether the structure is attached or detached
- The lot’s width, depth and shape
- Whether the property has more than one street frontage
- The location and height of the existing house
- Building and impervious-coverage standards
- Recorded easements
- A previous land-use approval
- Property-specific plat notes or restrictions
Do not automatically copy setback measurements from another house. Nearby properties may have different zoning, easements, lot configurations or prior approvals.
Official resources:
City of Spokane Planning
and
Spokane Residential Zone Standards
.
Dimension the closest project point
Decks, stairs, roof overhangs, porches and other projections may extend closer to a boundary than the main wall. Show the complete structure and provide the relevant shortest distances.
Do Not Guess the Property Boundary
An existing fence, hedge, driveway edge, utility pole or retaining wall does not necessarily identify the legal property line.
Reliable boundary information may come from:
- A Washington-licensed boundary survey
- A recorded subdivision plat
- A deed description
- A previous approved site plan
- Reliable closing documents
- Property records supplied by the owner
A professional land surveyor may be needed when:
- The proposed project is close to a boundary
- Property corners cannot be located
- The parcel is narrow or irregular
- An existing fence appears out of alignment
- A neighbor disputes the property line
- Available records conflict
- The city requests verified boundary or elevation information
Unsigned drawing versus licensed survey
USA Site Plans prepares unsigned drawings using supplied property records and project information. The drawing does not independently establish or certify legal property boundaries and does not replace a Washington professional land surveyor when a certified survey is required.
Garages, Carports and Sheds
Spokane reviews residential accessory buildings such as detached garages, carports, sheds and workshops.
A useful accessory-building site plan should show:
- The existing house
- Every relevant existing accessory structure
- The proposed building footprint
- Overall length and width
- Distances to all applicable property lines
- Distance between the new building and the house
- Driveway and vehicle access
- Parking areas
- Known easements
- Relevant drainage facilities
Accessory-building placement and height requirements depend on the zoning district, building size and relationship to the primary residence.
Official resources:
Spokane Residential Applications and Resources
and
Residential Accessory Structure Standards
.
Deck and Porch Site Plans
A deck site plan should show more than the platform itself.
Include:
- The existing residence
- The complete proposed deck or porch footprint
- Overall dimensions
- Stairs and landings
- Distances to property lines
- Distance to other buildings
- The connection to the house
- Nearby easements
- Driveways and walkways where relevant
The permit package may also require construction drawings showing footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger connections, stairs, guards and handrails.
The City of Spokane publishes a separate residential deck construction guide and electronic-document checklist for these projects.
Official resource:
Spokane Residential Permit Process and Deck Guide
.
Driveways, Parking and Alleys
Spokane’s new-house checklist specifically asks the site plan to show the main driveway, required parking spaces, garage parking stalls, streets and alleys.
Relevant information may include:
- Adjacent street names
- Alley location
- Existing driveway
- Proposed driveway or driveway widening
- Driveway width
- Garage or carport entrance
- Required parking spaces
- Curb-to-property-line dimensions
- Sidewalks and pedestrian routes
- Nearby drainage structures
Work affecting a public sidewalk, curb, street, alley or right-of-way may require a separate approach, sidewalk, obstruction or engineering permit.
Easements and Utilities
Easements can restrict where buildings, foundations, decks, pools, walls and other permanent improvements may be placed.
Common easements include:
- Utility easements
- Drainage easements
- Sewer easements
- Access easements
- Shared-driveway easements
- Water-line easements
Show the location and dimensions of known easements based on the survey, recorded plat or other reliable documents supplied for the project.
A drafted site plan can display utility information supplied by the owner, utility company or project professional. It does not independently locate underground services.
Site Drainage and Stormwater
Spokane’s new residential checklist specifically requires a site drainage plan.
The site plan or supporting drainage documents may need to show:
- Existing surface-water direction
- Proposed drainage direction
- Roof-drainage discharge
- Driveway runoff
- Drainage swales
- Drywells or other stormwater facilities
- Retaining walls
- Areas of excavation or fill
- Limits of disturbance
The City Engineer can require an engineer’s drainage plan for a property within an identified Area of Drainage Concern or where the project creates other significant drainage issues.
Spokane’s code generally requires post-development runoff volume and rate to be controlled under the applicable stormwater standards.
Official resources:
City of Spokane Stormwater
,
Areas of Drainage Concern
and
Stormwater Drainage Standards
.
A basic site plan is not an engineered drainage plan
USA Site Plans can display drainage information supplied by the customer or project professional. Engineering calculations, facility sizing, surveyed elevations and drainage certification are separate services when required.
Floodplains, Wetlands and Steep Slopes
Spokane’s new single-family application asks applicants to identify whether a property is affected by:
- A floodplain
- A shoreline or wetland within 200 feet
- A steep slope of 30% or greater
Projects involving one of these conditions may require additional review, professional plans or separate development permits.
Depending on the property, supporting documents may include:
- Flood-zone boundaries
- Base Flood Elevation information
- Existing and proposed elevations
- Elevation Certificates
- Wetland or shoreline information
- Topographic contours
- Slope-stability analysis
- Engineered grading and drainage plans
Spokane requires approval for development within regulated floodplain areas, and additional engineering analysis may be necessary.
Official resource:
Spokane Floodplain Management Standards
.
Wildland-Urban Interface Areas
Spokane currently lists the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code among its adopted construction codes.
Properties near wooded areas, steep slopes or undeveloped land may therefore require additional fire-safety review.
Depending on the project, relevant site information may include:
- Fire-department access
- Driveway width and slope
- Building separation
- Vegetation and defensible space
- Water-supply information
- Relationship between structures and surrounding wildland areas
Confirm whether the property falls within an area where wildland-interface standards apply before finalizing the project location.
Historic Properties and Districts
Residential work affecting a Spokane Register historic landmark or a contributing building within a local historic district may require historic-preservation approval.
A Certificate of Appropriateness can be required before the city issues a permit for applicable work.
Historic review may affect:
- Home additions
- New garages and accessory buildings
- Decks and porches
- Exterior alterations
- Building relocation
- Demolition
A site plan can help show the relationship between the proposed project, existing historic building, property boundaries, street, driveway and other structures.
Official resource:
Spokane Historic Preservation Standards
.
Current Spokane Residential Building Codes
The City of Spokane currently lists the following adopted codes for residential construction:
Residential and existing buildings
The 2021 International Residential Code and 2021 International Existing Building Code, with applicable Washington and local amendments.
Energy and plumbing
The 2021 Washington State Energy Code and adopted Uniform Plumbing Code provisions.
Site and wildfire conditions
The 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code and applicable Spokane construction standards.
A site plan does not replace architectural, structural, energy, plumbing, mechanical or electrical documents required for code review.
Official resource:
City of Spokane Residential Codes
.
Submitting a Spokane Permit Application
Spokane provides residential application forms, project guides and an online permitting system.
Online availability can depend on the type of permit and whether the applicant is a licensed contractor or registered system user. Confirm the submission method for the individual project before preparing the files.
For easier plan review:
- Use clear and descriptive file names
- Keep the property address consistent on every document
- Use readable labels and dimensions
- Identify the drawing scale
- Include a north arrow
- Clearly distinguish existing and proposed construction
- Coordinate the site plan with floor plans and elevations
- Include the current revision date
- Submit complete revised sheets when responding to comments
Official resource:
City of Spokane Residential Permit Process
.
What to Provide When Ordering Your Site Plan
Reliable property and project information helps produce a clearer drawing and reduces avoidable revisions.
Provide as much of the following as possible:
- Complete Spokane property address
- Parcel number
- Confirmation of city jurisdiction
- Current property survey
- Recorded subdivision plat
- Previous approved site plan
- Existing house plans
- Project description
- Proposed structure dimensions
- Desired project location
- Distances to property boundaries
- Photographs of the project area
- Hand-drawn sketch or marked image
- Builder or manufacturer drawings
- Driveway and parking information
- Known easements
- Available utility information
- Retaining-wall details
- Existing or proposed elevations
- Drainage information
- Comments received from Spokane staff
You can also review our
step-by-step guide to creating a site plan
to understand the information used to prepare a residential drawing.
A Practical Spokane Permit Process
Confirm jurisdiction
Determine whether the property is inside the City of Spokane or under another local authority.
Define the project
Confirm exactly what will be constructed, enlarged, altered or removed.
Gather property records
Collect the survey, plat, parcel information, photographs and existing plans.
Check site controls
Review zoning, setbacks, easements, drainage, floodplain, slopes and historic status.
Prepare the site plan
Show the complete lot, existing structures, proposed work and relevant dimensions.
Coordinate the plans
Make sure the site plan agrees with architectural, structural and energy documents.
Submit the application
Use the submission method specified by Spokane for the particular residential project.
Respond to comments
Update every affected sheet and wait for permit issuance before construction begins.
Common Spokane Site Plan Mistakes
- Following city requirements for a property located outside Spokane city limits
- Showing only the project area instead of the complete property
- Leaving out one or more property boundaries
- Failing to show lot dimensions
- Omitting front, side or rear setback measurements
- Using an existing fence as the assumed legal boundary
- Leaving out existing decks, garages or accessory buildings
- Failing to distinguish existing and proposed construction
- Using dimensions that conflict with the construction plans
- Leaving out driveways, parking spaces, streets or alleys
- Failing to show known easements
- Omitting the north arrow or drawing scale
- Ignoring site drainage
- Overlooking floodplain, wetland or steep-slope conditions
- Overlooking historic or wildland-interface requirements
- Submitting unreadable drawings
- Using an outdated project revision
- Beginning work before permits are issued
Spokane Residential Site Plan Checklist
- Correct property address shown
- Parcel information included
- City jurisdiction confirmed
- North arrow included
- Drawing scale identified
- Complete property outline shown
- Lot dimensions included
- Adjacent streets identified
- Alley location shown where applicable
- Existing residence shown
- Existing accessory structures shown
- Existing decks and porches shown
- Proposed construction clearly labeled
- Proposed length and width included
- Front setback dimensioned
- Side setbacks dimensioned
- Rear setback dimensioned
- Distance to other buildings shown
- Main driveway shown
- Parking spaces shown where required
- Known easements shown
- Curb-to-property-line distance included where required
- Site drainage shown
- Critical-area status checked
- Existing and proposed work distinguished
- Required professional documents confirmed
- Site plan matches construction drawings
- Current revision date included
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Spokane home project require a site plan?
No. The required documents depend on the project. Work that creates or enlarges a building footprint, adds a garage or deck, changes parking or affects property setbacks is more likely to require a site plan.
What does Spokane require on a general residential site plan?
Spokane’s checklist identifies lot and setback dimensions, easements and driveway dimensions, existing and proposed structure footprints, distances to property lines and a north arrow.
What additional information is required for a new house?
The new-residence checklist also identifies the property address, drawing scale, site drainage, parking spaces, garage stalls, streets, alleys and curb-to-property-line dimensions.
Can plans be hand-drawn?
Spokane’s general residential application states that hand-drawn plans may be acceptable for some projects. The information must still be complete, readable and suitable for review.
Can an unsigned site plan establish the legal boundary?
No. An unsigned drafted plan can show property lines based on supplied records, but it does not establish or certify the legal boundary. A Washington professional land surveyor may be required.
Does the site plan need to show drainage?
Spokane’s new single-family and duplex checklist specifically requires a site drainage plan. More complex properties may require engineered drainage documents.
What residential code does Spokane use?
Spokane currently lists the 2021 International Residential Code and 2021 Washington State Energy Code among its adopted residential codes.
Does a site plan include structural engineering?
No. A site plan shows where the project sits on the property. Foundations, beams, framing, footings, retaining-wall design and structural calculations are separate documents.
How quickly can USA Site Plans prepare the drawing?
USA Site Plans offers a standard 24-hour turnaround for typical unsigned residential drafting orders when sufficient property records, dimensions and project information are supplied.
Does a residential site plan guarantee approval?
No. Approval depends on the property, project, zoning, adopted codes and review by the City of Spokane or other responsible authority.
Related USA Site Plan Guides
Order a Residential Site Plan for Spokane
Send us the property address, proposed dimensions, project location, photographs and any available survey, recorded plat, builder drawing or permit comments.
Final Thoughts
A clear Spokane residential site plan should make the complete property and proposed home project easy to understand.
The drawing should show property boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction, setback measurements, access, parking, easements and other relevant site conditions.
For a new house or duplex, Spokane also asks for site drainage, required parking, street and alley information and curb-to-property-line dimensions.
Depending on the property, the permit process may involve drainage engineering, floodplain review, steep-slope information, historic approval or wildland-interface requirements.
Ready to begin?
Order your Spokane residential site plan
.
Official Spokane Resources
-
City of Spokane Residential Building Review
-
Residential Permit Process
-
General Residential Site Plan Checklist
-
General Residential Permit Application
-
New Single-Family Residence and Duplex Guide
-
Current Residential Codes
-
Residential Applications and Resources
-
Spokane Stormwater Information
-
Floodplain Management Standards
-
Historic Preservation Standards
Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal, zoning, surveying, architectural, engineering, structural, grading, drainage, floodplain, critical-area, historic-preservation, wildfire, building-code or permit-approval advice. Requirements depend on the property, jurisdiction, zoning district, project scope and current instructions from the City of Spokane or other responsible authority. USA Site Plans provides unsigned drafting services based on supplied property records and project information. An unsigned drafted site plan does not establish legal boundaries or replace a licensed surveyor, architect, engineer or other professional when one is required.