Public hearing on amending Spokane County Code regarding camping on private property.

NO.2026-0211

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

IN THE MATTER OF AMENDING SPOKANE COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 6.13 OF THE SPOKANE COUNTY CODE PERTAINING TO CAMPING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of County Commissioners of Spokane County, Washington (“Board” ) pursuant to the provisions of RCW 36.01.080 and RCW 46.63.020 that a public hearing will be held on:

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026, AT 2:00 P.M. (OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER)
COMMISSIONERS' HEARING ROOM
LOWER LEVEL PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING 
1026 W. BROADWAY AVENUE
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99260-0170

The public may also participate remotely via conference call by calling 1-877-853-5257 (MEETING ID: 856 7484 5677) and/or view the public meeting via: Webinar Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85674845677 (MEETING ID: 856 7484 5677).

PURPOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The purpose of the public hearing will be for the Board of County Commissioners to consider public testimony and take action to amend Chapter 6.13—Nuisances—of the Spokane County Code to regulate camping on private property, as shown by Exhibit A.

SUMMARY OF NEW SPOKANE COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 6.13 LANGUAGE

A summary of the proposed new language to be contained in Chapter 6.13 – Nuisances is as follows:

Section 6.13.040 Nuisances Defined—Prohibited.

Adds text in a new Subsection 6.13.040(2)(O) providing that camping on private property is a nuisance, with exceptions. Adds definitions and procedures for abatement. The exceptions include:
• legally established recreational vehicle parks/campgrounds;
• camping on property without a legally established habitable residence with a property owner among those camping for up to 14 days in a calendar year; and
• camping on property with a legally established habitable residence for an indefinite period, provided several requirements are met for an owner or tenant's physical presence; owner or tenant's permission; limitation on number of vehicles; provision of emergency access; and prohibition on nuisance behavior.
• Camping by, or hosting of, the homeless on property owned or controlled by a religious organization in accordance with Chapter 36.01.290 RCW.

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Any person may appear at the date, time and place set forth hereinabove, and present testimony in support of or opposition to the adoption of the amendments to Chapter 6.13 – Nuisances.

To ensure that everyone attending the public hearing has an opportunity to speak, testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. The Board reserves the right to adjust the time frame allotted to speakers as well as hearing procedures during the public hearing. Any written comments on the purpose of the public hearing must be received by May 4, 2026, no later than 12:00 NOON by gvasquez@spokanecounty.gov.

A copy of the new language in Chapter 6.13 – Nuisances will be mailed upon request. Both documents can also be viewed during normal business hours at the Board's office located on the 1st floor of the Spokane County Courthouse at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA. An electronic copy thereof will be available and can be accessed on the Spokane County website at http://www.spokanecounty.gov/.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) INFORMATION: Spokane County is committed to providing equal access to its facilities, programs and services for persons with disabilities. The Commissioner's Hearing Room at 1026 West Broadway, to the extent it is used for the meeting/hearing, is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with an infrared assistive listening system for persons with hearing loss. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations or further information may call, write, or email Ashley Cloud at (509) 477-5750 (TDD), 824 North Adams Street, Spokane, WA 99260; or acloud@spokanecounty.gov. Please contact us forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting/hearing date.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of April, 2026.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mary Brooks, Chair
Josh Kerns, Vice-Chair
Al French, Commissioner
Amber Waldref, Commissioner
Chris Jordan, Commissioner
ATTEST: Ginna Vasquez, Clerk of the Board
SR239158