Spokane Sees Significant Rise in ‘Missing Middle’ Housing

Spokane's housing market has experienced a notable shift, with 'missing middle' housing – encompassing duplexes, townhomes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and other small multifamily buildings – accounting for nearly 20% of all permitted housing units in 2025. This represents a substantial increase from the 3% to 4% observed between 2020 and 2022, signaling a positive response to recent policy changes designed to diversify housing options and increase supply.

The surge in 'missing middle' housing projects directly follows the implementation of zoning reforms, initially introduced as an interim ordinance. This ordinance, known as the Building Opportunity and Choices for All (BOCA), was approved by the Spokane City Council in July 2022. It permitted the development of up to four units on a single-family lot, a move intended to address housing shortages and affordability concerns. The ordinance was later made permanent in November 2023, now operating under the name Building Opportunity for Housing.

Why it matters

This policy intervention aims to facilitate the creation of housing types that fall between single-family homes and larger apartment buildings, often referred to as 'missing middle' housing. These types of homes are crucial for providing more diverse housing stock that can cater to a wider range of household sizes and incomes, and can often be integrated more seamlessly into existing neighborhoods.

The data from the City of Spokane, as reported by the Spokane Journal of Business, indicates a clear correlation between the zoning changes and the rise in permitted housing units fitting this description. Prior to the BOCA ordinance, such housing forms constituted a small fraction of new construction. The dramatic increase to 20% in 2025 suggests that the updated zoning regulations are effectively encouraging developers and homeowners to pursue these types of infill development.

Context

The implications of this trend extend beyond simple unit counts. An increase in 'missing middle' housing can contribute to greater neighborhood diversity, support local businesses by increasing the resident base, and potentially offer more affordable housing options compared to traditional single-family homes. It also represents a move towards more efficient land use, allowing for greater density within existing urban footprints, which can reduce sprawl and associated infrastructure costs.

Key facts

• Percentage of Spokane housing permits for 'missing middle' housing in 2025: ~20%
• 'Missing middle' housing permits (2020-2022 average): 3-4%
• Key zoning ordinance: Building Opportunity and Choices for All (BOCA)
• BOCA ordinance approval date: July 2022
• BOCA ordinance made permanent: November 2023

The success of Spokane's approach could serve as a model for other cities grappling with housing crises. By proactively adjusting zoning codes to allow for greater density and a wider variety of housing types, municipalities can unlock new potential for housing development within established neighborhoods. This approach contrasts with approaches that rely solely on large-scale, high-density developments on the urban fringe.

The 'missing middle' category itself is broad, encompassing a range of housing typologies. Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, bungalow courts, and ADUs all fall under this umbrella. Their inclusion in zoning codes allows for incremental density increases that can help meet housing demand without drastically altering the character of established neighborhoods. The growth in Spokane suggests that these types of housing are not only permissible but also increasingly desirable and feasible for development.

The 'Building Opportunity for Housing' ordinance, by making these changes permanent, provides a stable regulatory environment for developers and property owners. This certainty is crucial for encouraging investment in new housing projects. As Spokane continues to grow, the increased availability of 'missing middle' housing is likely to play a significant role in shaping its urban fabric and addressing its housing needs.

Further analysis of building permit data will be essential to track the long-term impact of these zoning changes. Monitoring the types of 'missing middle' units being built, their distribution across the city, and their contribution to overall housing affordability will provide a clearer picture of the policy's success. However, the initial data from 2025 indicates a promising trend towards a more diverse and responsive housing market in Spokane.

Source: Planetizen News (https://www.planetizen.com/news/2026/05/137625-missing-middle-housing-accounted-nearly-20-spokane-permits-2025)