Spokane County · Washington
Metal buildings in Spokane, WA.
We supply detached garages, shops, storage buildings and more across Spokane. Our work reaches from the older neighborhoods on the South Hill to the larger lots on the city’s edges, and anywhere else you’re building.
Garage & shop height, R1
20 ft
Accessory coverage
15% of the lot
Height in the RA zone
30 ft
Rear setback, no alley
5 ft
From Spokane Municipal Code 17C.111.205 and 17C.111.240.
What people build in Spokane
Eastern Washington’s largest city, where a neighbor’s signed waiver can move a garage closer to the line.
Detached garages
Garages and carports stay out of the front setback. A street-facing door needs 20 feet from the sidewalk, or 27 feet from the back of curb where there’s no sidewalk.
Shops & storage
Sheds, workshops and storage buildings not used for vehicles stay out of the front setback, and out of the side setback unless a neighbor signs a waiver.
Alley lots
A detached garage can go right to the rear line on an alley, unless you plan to park in front of it. Then it sits 18 feet from the alley edge.
Residential Agricultural zone
In the RA zone, accessory buildings can reach 30 feet and cover up to 20% of the lot.
We work in tubular steel, cold-formed steel, steel truss and red iron. See what a steel building costs.
Permitting metal buildings in Spokane
Spokane requires a primary building on the lot before an accessory structure, and an accessory structure can’t hold a kitchen or living space unless it’s approved as an ADU.
Height & coverage
- Accessory buildings top out at 20 feet in the R1 and R2 zones, 30 feet in RA, and 35 feet in RMF and RHD.
- Detached and covered accessory buildings together can cover 15% of the lot in R1 and R2, or 20% in RA and on lots of 5,500 sq ft or less.
Setbacks
- Side setbacks match the house: 5 feet on lots wider than 40 feet, 3 feet on narrower lots.
- The rear setback is 5 feet without an alley and 0 with one. A signed waiver from the neighbor can take the side setback to zero.
ADUs
- An accessory dwelling can have a footprint up to 1,200 sq ft and stand 25 feet tall.
- A garage with an ADU above it follows the ADU height rules instead.
In Spokane, talk to your neighbor first. A signed waiver lets a detached garage or shop sit inside the side setback, which can free up room on a narrow lot. We’ll lay out both options before we size the building.
Total building coverage is capped at 50% in RA, 65% in R1 and 80% in R2. Outside city limits, Spokane County rules apply. See all of Washington.
Start with a conversation
Let’s talk about your Spokane project.
Tell us what you’re planning and where you’re building. We’ll help you work out the next steps.
- Tell us what and whereSend us the size, how you’ll use the building and the address.
- We check the siteWe confirm who permits the address and which code and loads apply.
- You get a clear recommendationWe recommend the frame that fits and price it against the alternatives.
Or call
417-218-8348