Noah Ullah & Jill Larsen | Spokane Valley Living
Spokane Best Home Living winter-ready home checklist for Spokane Valley, November 2026

How Do You Get Your Spokane Valley Home Ready for Winter? A November 2026 Checklist

By Noah Ullah & Jill Larsen, Spokane Best Home Living · November 3, 2026

Quick answer: Start with your heat: check or replace the furnace filter (Avista recommends monthly in winter) and book a seasonal tune-up. Next, seal drafts around doors and windows and close the fireplace damper when it's not in use. Then plan for snow. The City of Spokane Valley plows main routes first, a full residential plow takes about 48 hours, and in Tier 1 areas you must clear sidewalk snow over 3 inches within 48 hours. Get those done in early November and your home will be warmer, cheaper to heat and easier to sell or enjoy all winter.

Hi, we're Noah Ullah and Jill Larsen of Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty. Spokane Valley comes first for us, followed by the rest of Spokane County. Each November we hear the same question from homeowners: "What should I actually do before the first real snow?" Here's our local, no-fluff checklist, plus what's happening around the Valley this week.

1. Start with the furnace and the filter

According to Avista, heating makes up 40 to 60 percent of winter energy bills. Their checklist is simple:

  • Check the filter monthly in winter. Clean or replace it when it's dirty. Every three months is enough outside winter (Avista energy-saving tips).
  • Book a seasonal check. Avista suggests having a qualified technician inspect heating equipment at the start of each season.
  • Set the thermostat smart. Avista suggests 68 degrees. Lowering it about 3 degrees can save up to roughly 10 percent on heating.

2. Seal the drafts you can feel

Avista says a 1/8-inch gap around a door lets in as much cold air as a softball-sized hole in the wall. These low-cost fixes help:

  • Weatherstripping and a door sweep on exterior doors
  • Caulk, or removable rope caulk, around leaky window frames
  • Window plastic or insulated curtains on older single-pane windows
  • Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fire is out. Avista says an open damper can let about 25 percent of your home's heat escape up the chimney.

3. Know how Spokane Valley handles snow

The City of Spokane Valley's Snow Removal page spells out what homeowners should expect:

  • Primary routes first. The city plows arterials, hillsides and critical intersections whenever snow accumulates.
  • Residential streets. They're plowed when snow significantly reduces traffic flow. With 646 lane miles in the city, a full residential plow takes about 48 hours, and you can follow it on the city's status map.
  • Expect a berm. The contracted graders that plow residential streets don't have gates, so a ridge of snow across your driveway is normal. Keep a shovel handy.
  • Don't push snow into the street. Under the city code, depositing snow or ice in a way that blocks traffic is a misdemeanor.
  • Sidewalks. In Tier 1 areas (commercially zoned areas and Safe Routes to School), property owners must clear snow and ice over 3 inches within 48 hours after a storm. Fines start at $25.
  • State highways. WSDOT plows Trent Avenue (SR 290) and Pines Road (SR 27). The city doesn't plow private roads.

Report a missed street through SVexpress or call the city at 509-720-5000.

Free guide: How to Winterize Your Home

Want the full room-by-room list? Grab our free How to Winterize Your Home guide. If you're worried about a big-ticket repair, read 10 Most Expensive Home Repairs before something breaks in January.

4. Haul off the leaves and the old paint

The Spokane County Valley Transfer Station is at 3941 N Sullivan Road and is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except listed holidays, including Thanksgiving Day.

  • Clean green / yard waste: $11 minimum for loads of 220 lbs or less, which includes a $3 Environmental Programs Charge.
  • Household hazardous waste: free residential drop-off seven days a week, with daily limits.
  • Paint: latex and oil-based house paint is accepted, up to 15 gallons per visit.

5. Get ahead of winter energy bills

Avista says electric and natural gas bills typically rise between October and February, and running one space heater around the clock can add about $100 a month. Use space heaters only in rooms you're in, and keep vents clear. If your budget is tight, Avista changed its Washington My Energy Discount program on November 1, 2026. Discounts are now based on household income and size, with the biggest discounts from November through April. Call Avista at (800) 227-9187 for details.

Thinking about selling or buying this winter?

A warm, draft-free, well-maintained home shows better in every season. If you're thinking about listing, our How to Prepare Your Home for Sale guide pairs well with this checklist, and you can book a free home value consultation with us anytime. If you're buying, read The Secret to Buying a Home in Any Season.

This Week in Spokane Valley (Nov 3–9, 2026)

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov 3

  • Ballot drop boxes close promptly at 8:00 p.m. tonight. No stamp is needed. Valley-area boxes include CenterPlace Event Center (2426 N Discovery Pl), Spokane Valley Library (22 N Herald Rd), Argonne Library (4322 N Argonne Rd), Otis Orchards Library (22324 E Wellesley Ave), Liberty Lake Library (23123 E Mission Ave) and Millwood City Hall (9103 E Frederick Ave). Full drop box list
  • Mailed ballots must be postmarked by today. In-person registration and voter updates are available until 8 p.m. Certification is Nov 24. Spokane County Elections

City meetings

  • Nov 3, 8:30 a.m.: Spokane Valley City Council special meeting. The regular 6 p.m. meeting is canceled.
  • Nov 5, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission special meeting.
  • Nov 10, 6 p.m.: next regular City Council meeting at City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave. Agendas and webcasts

Holiday markets and craft fairs

  • Nov 6–7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Holiday Bazaar at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, 3223 N Marguerite Rd. Free, with handcrafted items, quilts, a bake sale and "Santa's Attic" vintage Christmas items. Details
  • Nov 7–8: CV Craft Fair at Central Valley High School, 821 S Sullivan Rd, a fundraiser for the CVHS Band & Color Guard. Check hours before you go. Details

Sports

  • Sat, Nov 7, 2 p.m.: Gonzaga men's basketball vs. New Mexico State at McCarthey Athletic Center. Game center
  • Spokane Chiefs: no home games this week. The next home game is Fri, Nov 13 vs. Everett at Numerica Veterans Arena. Chiefs promotions schedule

Concerts, shows and movies

  • Nov 5 & 6: Daily Bread (Nov 5, 8 p.m.) and Isaiah Rashad (Nov 6, 8 p.m.) at the Knitting Factory. Evan Honer plays Nov 9. Knitting Factory events
  • Nov 6–8: Disney On Ice: Jump In! at Numerica Veterans Arena (Fri 7 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.). Arena events
  • Nov 6–8: For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday, a dramatic reading at Spokane Civic Theatre's Studio Theatre. Tickets are $10, ages 5 and up. Tickets
  • Nov 7–8: Spokane Symphony's "The Pastoral" (Sibelius and Beethoven) at The Fox. Fox events
  • Movies: Regal Spokane Valley (14760 E Indiana Ave) currently lists titles including Wildwood, Clayface and The Cat in the Hat. Showtimes

For Parents & Kids

  • Tue, Nov 3, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Family Play & Learn Storytime (ages 2–5) at Spokane Valley Library. Details
  • Wed, Nov 4, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Baby Play & Learn Storytime (0–18 months) at Spokane Valley Library. Details
  • Looking ahead: Central Valley School District has no school on Wed, Nov 11 for Veterans Day. CVSD calendar The free Veterans Day Ceremony, Resource Fair & Food Distribution is at Numerica Veterans Arena on Nov 11 at 10 a.m. Details

FAQ: Winter prep in Spokane Valley

How often should I change my furnace filter in winter?

Avista recommends checking it at least monthly, and cleaning or replacing it when it's dirty. Outside winter, every three months is enough.

How long does Spokane Valley take to plow residential streets?

The city says a full residential plow of its 646 lane miles takes about 48 hours. It starts only when snow significantly reduces traffic flow. Arterials and hillsides are plowed first.

Do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Spokane Valley?

In Tier 1 areas (commercially zoned areas and Safe Routes to School), property owners must clear snow and ice over 3 inches within 48 hours after a storm ends. Fines start at $25. Everyone is asked to keep sidewalks clear and to never push snow into the street.

Where can I take leaves and yard debris in Spokane Valley?

The Valley Transfer Station at 3941 N Sullivan Road takes clean green and yard waste ($11 minimum for 220 lbs or less) from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except listed holidays.

Is there help with winter heating bills?

Avista's Washington My Energy Discount program now gives its largest discounts from November through April, based on household income and size. Call Avista at (800) 227-9187.

Is winter a bad time to sell a home in Spokane Valley?

Not if the home is ready. A warm, well-maintained home shows well in any season. Start with our 25 Factors That Impact Your Home Value guide and a quick strategy call with us about timing.

Work with Noah & Jill

Noah Ullah and Jill Larsen work as a team at Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty. We focus on Spokane Valley and serve buyers and sellers across Spokane County. Whatever your next move, there's an easy way to start:

Event details come from the linked sources as of Nov 3, 2026 and can change, so confirm with each organizer before you go. Utility and city figures come from Avista, the City of Spokane Valley and Spokane County.

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