Environmental Rules in Tacoma, WA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Tacoma, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Tacoma requires everyone discharging stormwater or pollutants into the municipal stormwater system or receiving waters to comply with TMC Chapter 12.08D, the City's NPDES municipal stormwater permit, and its Stormwater Management Program.
Tacoma Regulates Stormwater Under Ch. 12.08D
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 12.08D.010
This chapter sets forth uniform requirements for, and shall apply to all persons, discharging stormwater or pollutants to the municipal stormwater system and receiving waters within the City, and requires compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, local ordinances, and this chapter. The purpose of this chapter includes but is not limited to the following: 1. To control the quanti...
Erosion Control
Tacoma requires a Construction SWPPP for projects adding 2,000 square feet of impervious surface or disturbing 7,000 square feet of land, plus a certified erosion-control lead above 500 cubic yards of grading.
Tacoma Erosion And Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 2.19.060.B
Erosion and sediment control. The faces of cleared or graded slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control erosion. Such control shall consist of approved erosion and sediment control best engineering practices. Permanent protection for slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable and prior to calling for final approval. 2. Thresholds. A Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention ...
Flood Zones
Tacoma requires a recorded Notice on Title for any property with land in the 100-year floodplain or Riparian Buffer zone, and City review before any development in a flood hazard area, even projects that skip a building permit.
Tacoma Floodplain Development Review Requirements
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.11.640
The owner of any property upon which new development occurs is required to record a Notice on Title according to Section 13.11.280 if the property contains land with the 100-year floodplain and/or the Riparian Buffer zone, before a permit may be issued. Development within a flood hazard area that does not otherwise require a building permit, such as material storage or building of small access...
Boat Dock Permits
Any pier, wharf, dock or marina built in Tacoma falls under the city's Waterfront Structures and Marina Code, which layers fire-protection and construction standards on top of the Building Code and Shoreline Management Act.
Tacoma Pier and Dock Construction Code
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 2.13.020
This chapter shall pertain to and regulate the fire protection and construction of waterfront structures and marinas, as defined herein, which shall be subject to all requirements of the codes and ordinances of the City of Tacoma relating to other structures, including but not limited to the Building Code, Residential Code, Mechanical Code, Fire Code, Plumbing Code, Minimum Building and Structu...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Tacoma requires new critical facilities built in the mapped 100-year floodplain to elevate their lowest floor at least three feet above base flood elevation, or to the 500-year flood height, whichever is higher.
Tacoma Critical Facility Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.11.620.D
Critical facilities. Construction of new critical facilities shall be, to the extent possible, located outside the limits of the special flood hazard area (SFHA) (100-year floodplain). Construction of new critical facilities shall be permissible within the SFHA if no feasible alternative site is available. Critical facilities constructed within the SFHA shall have the lowest floor elevated thre...
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tacoma city rules.
Environmental Rules in Pierce County →