Contact methods change, so use each agency's official website to find its current request form or phone line rather than relying on a number copied from a third-party page.
Report a Pothole in Spokane: Step 1, Find Out Who Owns the Road
| Where the pothole is | Who usually maintains it |
|---|---|
| A street inside Spokane city limits | City of Spokane street department |
| A street inside Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney or Airway Heights | That city's public works or street department |
| A road in an unincorporated area | Spokane County public works |
| Interstate and state highways, such as I-90, US 2 and US 395 (Division Street) | Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) |
| A private road, HOA street, driveway or parking lot | The property owner, HOA or property manager |
If you are unsure, start with the city whose limits you are in. City and county staff will usually redirect you if the road belongs to someone else. Street signs, a county or city map and a quick web search for the agency's name plus "report a pothole" are the fastest ways to find the right place.
Report a Pothole in Spokane: Step 2, Include the Right Details
A report with clear information gets prioritized and fixed faster. Include:
- Exact location: street address or the nearest cross streets, which lane and which direction of travel
- Size and depth: a rough width and depth, or a photo with an object such as a tire or shoe for scale
- Hazard level: whether it is in a travel lane, near an intersection, in a bike lane or already damaging vehicles
- Photos: one close and one wider shot that shows where it is on the road
- Date and your contact information so the agency can follow up
Report a Pothole in Spokane: Step 3, Where to Send the Report
Most public agencies in the area accept reports through an online request form or a customer-service phone line, and some use a mobile app. For city streets, look for the "report a problem" or "service request" option on the official city website. Do the same on the county site for county roads and on the WSDOT site for state highways. Once you submit a request, save any confirmation number it gives you.
For emergencies, such as a large hole in a busy lane, a road collapse or a hazard that could cause a crash, contact local authorities immediately instead of submitting a routine request.
Report a Pothole in Spokane: What to Do If a Pothole Damages Your Vehicle
Document everything: photos of the pothole and the damage, the date, the location and repair estimates. Government agencies generally have a formal claims process with notice requirements and deadlines, and they often are not liable unless they knew about a hazard and failed to act in a reasonable time. Check the agency's claims page promptly. This is general information, not legal advice, and a lawyer can tell you about your specific situation.
Report a Pothole on Private Property: Parking Lots, HOA Streets and Driveways
Public agencies do not repair private pavement. If the pothole is in a shopping center lot, apartment complex, HOA street or your own driveway, the owner or manager is responsible. Report it to them in writing with photos, and keep a copy. Business owners and property managers can prevent repeat damage by fixing potholes properly rather than stuffing them with temporary patch material. A lasting repair cuts back to sound pavement, restores the base if it has failed and compacts hot-mix in place. See asphalt repair, parking lot paving and subdivision road paving for how this is done.
Report a Pothole: Why Spokane Potholes Form Every Winter and Spring
Water enters cracks in the pavement, freezes and expands, then thaws and leaves a saturated, weakened base. Traffic then pumps out water and fines and breaks the surface into pieces. In a climate with many freeze-thaw cycles, that process produces potholes by the thousands. Our Spokane freeze-thaw pavement FAQ and the best time to pave guide explain why spring repairs are often temporary and when permanent fixes work best.
Report a Pothole Quick Temporary Fix for Private Property
If you must patch a private pothole before a permanent repair is possible: clear loose debris and water, fill with cold-patch asphalt in layers, tamp or drive over each layer to compact it, and mound the material slightly above the surrounding pavement. Expect it to wear out, and plan a permanent repair when weather allows.
How to Report a Pothole in Spokane FAQ: Common Questions Answered
Report a Pothole: How Long Does It Take to Get a Pothole Fixed in Spokane?
It depends on the agency, the season and how severe the hazard is. Spring is the busiest time, and crews prioritize the most dangerous holes first.
Report a Pothole: Can I Report Potholes Anonymously?
Often yes, but providing contact information helps the agency follow up if it needs more details.
Report a Pothole: Who Fixes Potholes in a Private Parking Lot?
The property owner or property manager. Public agencies do not maintain private pavement.
Report a Pothole: Is a Pothole on Division Street or US 2 a City or State Issue?
Division Street is part of US 395 and US 2 is a state highway, so many of these potholes are handled by WSDOT, although some segments may be maintained differently. If you are unsure, check with the city or WSDOT.
How to Report a Pothole in Spokane: Related Paving Services Across Spokane County
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