General information for homeowners, not legal or engineering advice. Permit rules change and vary by municipality; check with the City of Spokane, Spokane County or your city’s permit office before you start work.
People in Spokane use “pole barn” and “post-frame building” almost interchangeably, and for good reason: they are built the same basic way. Here’s a plain-English look at what each term usually means, how they differ from a stick-built garage, and which fits your project.
How both are built
Instead of a stud wall sitting on a full concrete foundation, a pole barn or post-frame building uses large posts set in the ground or anchored to footings. Horizontal girts tie the posts together on the walls, trusses span from side to side, and purlins carry the metal roof. Because the posts carry the load, the inside can stay wide open.
What people usually mean by “pole barn”
Traditionally a pole barn was a simple farm building, often with round poles, a gravel floor and open or partly open sides. Today the term is used for almost any building framed this way, from hay barns to detached garages.
What people usually mean by “post frame”
“Post frame” is the term the industry prefers for engineered buildings with square laminated or treated posts, closer attention to load design, and finishes like insulation, liner panels, slabs and large doors. Shops, commercial buildings and finished garages are often described this way.
Pole barn or post frame vs. stick-built
- Foundation: post-frame buildings usually don’t need a full perimeter foundation wall.
- Open space: wide clear spans with no interior bearing walls.
- Speed: fewer, larger framing pieces can mean a faster build.
- Finish: stick-built garages can be easier to finish like a house, though post-frame buildings can be insulated and lined too.
Which one fits your project
- Hay, equipment or animals: a simpler pole barn is often enough. See agricultural pole barns.
- A shop or workshop: an engineered post-frame building with a slab and insulation. See post-frame buildings.
- Garage or RV storage: either works; height and door size matter most. See pole barn garages.
Whatever you call it, the building needs to be engineered for the snow and wind loads at your address. A local builder can help you decide and give you a free written estimate. Read what drives pole barn cost in Spokane next.