Tacoma, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-4 main buildings
- maximum 60 feet
- R-5 main buildings
- maximum 150 feet
- Accessory buildings
- maximum 15 feet
- View-Sensitive overlay
- adds further height limits
Summary
In Tacoma's R-4 and R-5 Multiple-Unit Dwelling Districts, main buildings are capped at 60 and 150 feet respectively, with accessory buildings limited to 15 feet under the zoning code.
5. Max. Height Limits (in feet) b. Main Buildings 60 150 c. Accessory Buildings 15-feet
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
Tacoma's zoning code sets a citywide baseline: any building shall not exceed the height limit established for the district where it sits, with only narrow named exceptions (chimneys, towers, schools, solar panels). For the R-4 and R-5 Multiple-Unit Dwelling Districts specifically, the code's Max. Height Limits table caps main buildings at 60 feet in R-4 and 150 feet in R-5, reflecting R-5's role as Tacoma's highest-density residential district near downtown and transit corridors. Accessory buildings in both districts are capped at 15 feet regardless of the main building's allowance. Properties inside a View-Sensitive Overlay District face additional height restrictions on top of these base limits.
Violations & Fines
A main building built above 60 feet in an R-4 district, above 150 feet in R-5, or an accessory structure above 15 feet, violates the zoning height limit and can be ordered reduced or removed by the City.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a building be in Tacoma's R-5 district?
What's the height limit for a detached garage or shed in R-4 or R-5?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle structure height limits.