Historic Districts of Spokane
Browne's Addition Local Historic District Overlay
Listed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places on November 3, 2019.
In 2015, the Browne's Addition Neighborhood Council embarked on a long process of creating a Spokane Register Historic District in their neighborhood. Throughout the years since, the Spokane Historic Preservation Office worked with the neighborhood, advocacy organizations, City administration, and City Council to create an historic overlay zone which was voted on and passed by a majority of Browne's Addition property owners. The district became official on November 3, 2019. The district allows property owners of historic (contributing) resources who significantly improve their properties to take advantage of a reduced property value for ten years (special tax valuation). It will also protect the neighborhood character through design review of changes to existing buildings, new construction and demolition. Please review the Spokane Municipal Code 17D.100.280 for the full ordinance creating the district. The Historic Preservation Office is creating a page devoted specifically to the Browne's Addition Historic District Overlay Zone, but much of the information can be found here. Documents related to Browne's Addition that may be of interest are here:
Browne's Addition Historic District Resource Forms (each property within the district has a form that notes if the property is contributing or non-contributing, discusses the architectural style, date built and key, character-defining features of the building)
Browne's Addition Historic District Design Standards & Guidelines (this document gives more background on the design review requirements of the district, as well as offers advice to property owners on best preservation practices for their important historic buildings when they consider improvements or changes)
A map of the district showing the boundaries as well as contributing and non-contributing designations is also available. Zoom into the map to explore the district digitally!
