Tacoma, WA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopting section
- TMC § 2.06.010
- Code adopted
- Uniform Plumbing Code, via State Building Code
- Fees
- Set by TMC Chapter 2.09 fee schedule
- Enforcement
- Misdemeanor/civil infraction under TMC Chapter 1.82
Summary
Tacoma incorporates the Uniform Plumbing Code, as already adopted by the State Building Code, as the City of Tacoma Plumbing Code under TMC § 2.06.010, deleting UPC fee provisions in favor of the City's own fee schedule.
The Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State Building Code as defined in TMC § 2.02.100 is hereby included in the City of Tacoma Plumbing Code as adopted by this chapter. Section 104.5 and Table No. 104.5 are hereby deleted from the UPC. Fees shall be in accordance with TMC Chapter 2.09. (Repealed and reenacted by Ord. 27890 Ex. A, 2010-06-15; repealed and reenacted by Ord. 28155 Ex. A, 2013-06-11; Ord. 28363 Ex. A, 2016-06-14; Ord. 28729 Ex. B, 2021-01-26; Ord. 28957 Ex. A, 2024-03-05)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4946110; v22 updated 2026-07-28).
Full Breakdown
TMC § 2.06.010 adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as the City of Tacoma Plumbing Code, deleting UPC Section 104.5 and its fee table and routing fees through TMC Chapter 2.09 instead. Chapter 2.06 layers on city-specific amendments: administrative authority for the Director of Planning and Development Services (§ 2.06.015), a water-conservation mandate for new irrigation systems (§ 2.06.120), and cross-connection control tied to Tacoma Public Utilities' Water Division (§ 2.06.130). Under § 2.09.070.B, a plumbing permit is required for work that adds to, alters, relocates, or replaces plumbing or drainage, except when it's bundled into a new single-family or duplex building permit.
Violations & Fines
Plumbing code violations follow UPC Section 106.0, which TMC § 2.06.080 deletes and replaces by reference with TMC § 2.02.130: the adopted IBC Section 114 process: a misdemeanor or civil infraction, strict liability, enforced under TMC Chapter 1.82.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle plumbing permits.