Under RCW 36.70A.681(1)(g) (HB 1337), Tacoma may not charge impact fees on ADUs under 1,000 square feet, and impact fees on ADUs 1,000 sq ft and over are capped at 50% of the fee imposed on the primary dwelling. Standard PDS permit fees, TPU water/sewer capacity charges, and Pierce County school impact fees still apply where authorized.
RCW 36.70A.681(1)(g), enacted with HB 1337, restricts Tacoma's impact fee authority under RCW 82.02: ADUs under 1,000 sq ft are exempt from city impact fees entirely, and ADUs at or above 1,000 sq ft may be charged no more than 50% of the impact fee imposed on the primary dwelling. Tacoma's traffic and park impact fee schedule under TMC 2.21 and 2.23 reflects this cap. Tacoma Public Utilities collects water and sewer capacity charges (general facility charges) under TMC 12.10 and 12.08; these are utility connection charges, not impact fees, and are not subject to the HB 1337 cap, but TPU offers reduced charges where existing capacity is already in place. School impact fees collected by Pierce County for Tacoma School District under TMC 2.23 are similarly considered impact fees and subject to the 50% cap on larger ADUs and full waiver on smaller units. Standard PDS plan review, building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permit fees (typically $4,000-$10,000 combined) still apply. Pre-approved DADU plans accepted by Tacoma can reduce plan review fees.
Failure to pay TPU general facility charges or school impact fees blocks permit issuance and final inspection. Unpaid fees become a lien on the property. A city demand for a prohibited ADU impact fee may be challenged under RCW 36.70A.681 β the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board has jurisdiction. Confirm specific penalty amounts with PDS at 253-591-5030.
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