Spokane Electric and Gas Franchise Rules

Utilities and Infrastructure Washington 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Washington

Spokane, Washington regulates public-rights-of-way use and franchise obligations for electric and gas utilities through city ordinances and franchise agreements. This guide summarizes how franchise terms typically affect rates, obligations for restoration, insurance and public safety, and where to find the official text and file complaints in Spokane, Washington. It is aimed at residents, property owners, and business operators who need to understand who enforces franchise terms, how to report violations, and what administrative steps are available.

Contact the city clerk for ordinance texts and franchise records.

Overview

Franchise agreements allow investor-owned utilities to use city streets and rights-of-way in exchange for conditions such as restoration standards, insurance, performance bonds, and sometimes a franchise fee. In Spokane these instruments are implemented by city ordinance and specific franchise documents; the controlling municipal code and ordinance text should be consulted for exact terms and any franchise-specific provisions Spokane Municipal Code (ordinances)[1].

Franchise Terms & Utility Rate Interaction

Municipal franchises commonly address: public-rights-of-way access, construction and restoration standards, traffic control during works, indemnity and insurance, and reporting or mapping requirements. Utility customer rates for electricity and gas in Washington are normally set through filings with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC); franchise documents rarely set retail rates but can include franchise fees or pole attachment terms that affect a utility's costs Washington UTC – electric utility regulation[2]. For precise rate mechanisms, consult the UTC docketed tariffs and the city franchise ordinance that applies to the specific utility.

Penalties & Enforcement

Fine amounts and specific monetary penalties for franchise breaches are not consolidated in a single citywide schedule in the cited municipal code pages; fine amounts are not specified on the cited page. Enforcement approaches typically include administrative orders, restoration requirements, stop-work orders, and civil enforcement through the courts when necessary.

Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): ranges and schedules are not specified on the cited page and may be set in individual ordinances or franchise documents. Non-monetary sanctions may include orders to restore public property, suspension of work permits, or requirements to post bonds for corrective work.

Enforcer: the City of Spokane enforces municipal ordinances and franchise terms through its code enforcement and public works/permits functions; complaints and inspection requests can be submitted to the city's code enforcement office using the official city reporting and permits contacts Spokane Code Enforcement and Permits[3]. The city attorney or city clerk may also be involved in ordinance interpretation and enforcement litigation.

Monetary fine amounts and escalation rules are often set in the specific franchise or ordinance text and may not appear on summary pages.

Applications & Forms

  • Permit applications for work in the right-of-way - see city permits guidance for requirements and bonding.
  • Franchise fee schedules - where present they are specified in the ordinance or franchise agreement (not specified on the cited page).
  • Complaint/report forms - use the city code enforcement or permits reporting portal to request inspection or report improper restoration.

Common Violations

  • Poor street restoration after utility excavation.
  • Unauthorized work in rights-of-way without a permit.
  • Failure to maintain required insurance or indemnity conditions.

FAQ

What is a utility franchise?
A franchise is a municipal ordinance or contract granting a utility limited permission to use public rights-of-way under specified conditions.
Do franchise agreements set customer electric or gas rates?
Typically no; retail rates are set by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, while franchises may impose fees or conditions that affect utility costs.[2]
How do I report a suspected franchise or right-of-way violation in Spokane?
Report the issue to Spokane code enforcement or the permits office using the city reporting/contact page; the city will inspect and enforce applicable ordinance provisions.[3]

How-To

  1. Document the problem with photos, location, and dates.
  2. Check the municipal code or franchise ordinance to identify the applicable obligation (Spokane Municipal Code)[1].
  3. Submit a complaint to Spokane code enforcement or permits via the official city reporting/contact page and request inspection.[3]
  4. If unresolved, ask the city for the enforcement decision in writing and note appeal instructions or pursue civil remedies as provided by ordinance or statute.

Key Takeaways

  • Franchises allow use of city rights-of-way but seldom set retail rates.
  • Official texts (ordinances and franchise documents) and UTC tariffs are the controlling sources for obligations and rates.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Spokane Municipal Code - library.municode.com
  2. [2] Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission - electric regulation
  3. [3] Spokane Code Enforcement & Permits - my.spokanecity.org

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data