- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Spokane Bans New Drive-Thrus and Gas Stations on Major Roads
One-year moratorium aims to pave way for bus-centric development in the city.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:42am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Spokane's new development restrictions aim to curb the city's car-centric growth and pave the way for more sustainable, transit-oriented projects.Spokane TodayThe Spokane City Council has approved an emergency one-year moratorium prohibiting the construction of new drive-thrus, gas stations, car washes, and other automotive service stations along major arterial roads in the city. The move is intended to pave the way for more bus-friendly development in these areas.
Why it matters
Spokane has long struggled with car-centric development, leading to traffic congestion and a lack of walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods. This moratorium is part of a broader effort to shift the city's focus towards public transportation, pedestrians, and sustainable urban planning.
The details
The new moratorium bans the construction of any new drive-thrus, gas stations, car washes, and other automotive service stations in large areas of Spokane for the next 12 months. City officials say this will allow them to update zoning and development codes to encourage more transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly projects along these major arterial roads.
- The Spokane City Council approved the emergency moratorium on April 11, 2026.
- The moratorium will be in effect for one year, until April 2027.
The players
Spokane City Council
The legislative body of the City of Spokane, Washington, responsible for passing the emergency moratorium on new automotive-centric development.
What’s next
The city plans to use the one-year moratorium period to update its zoning and development codes to encourage more transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly projects along these major arterial roads.
The takeaway
Spokane's new moratorium on drive-thrus and gas stations is a bold step towards reducing car dependency and promoting a more sustainable, walkable, and transit-friendly future for the city. It reflects a growing trend among urban areas to rethink traditional auto-centric development patterns.
