Landscaping Rules in Tacoma, WA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Tacoma, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Tacoma requires tree branches to clear at least 8 feet above sidewalks and 14 feet above streets. Vegetation that doesn't meet these heights is a public nuisance the abutting property owner must trim back.
Tacoma Tree Clearance Over Sidewalks & Streets
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 9.20.340
All vegetation, including trees, shrubs, grass, other plants, or any parts thereof, located on real property abutting the public right-of-way and located within the right-of-way that meet any one or more of the following conditions, shall constitute a public nuisance: Vegetation overhanging any sidewalk at less than eight (8) feet above grade or street at less than fourteen (14) feet above grad...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a tree of 6 inches DBH or larger in Tacoma triggers a Canopy Loss Fee under TMC § 13.06.090B.3.e(3)(e), calculated per inch of canopy lost minus the caliper inches of any replacement trees planted, funding the city's Urban Forestry Program.
Tacoma Tree Removal Replacement Fee
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.090B.3.e(3)(e)
A canopy loss fee will be assessed for removal of trees 6” DBH or larger. ... For trees 6” < 18” DBH, the Canopy Loss Fee does not apply to trees removed that are above and beyond the site’s applicable Tree Credit requirement. However, for trees removed below the applicable Tree Credit requirement, a Canopy Loss Fee shall be assessed and is determined by a cost-per-inch DBH removed minus the to...
Weed Ordinances
Tacoma treats grass, weeds, or brush over one foot tall on any lot as a public nuisance the property owner must correct, with limited exceptions for erosion control or critical areas.
Tacoma Caps Yard Grass At One Foot
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 8.30.040.C.2
Overgrown, uncultivated, unkempt, or potentially hazardous vegetation of any type, including, but not limited to, shrubs, brush, trees, weeds, blackberry vines, and grasses over one foot in height or length that poses a threat to public health, safety and welfare, including vegetation which may harbor rodents or transient activity. Where erosion control issues, indigenous species, or critical a...
Water Restrictions
New automatic in-ground irrigation systems in Tacoma must include an automatic clock, leak-detecting flow sensors, backflow-protected valves, and a rain-sensing shutoff under TMC § 2.06.120's water conservation standard.
Tacoma Irrigation Water Conservation Standards
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 2.06.120 (UPC § 423.0)
A new installation of an automatic in-ground irrigation system shall comply with the following: 1. An automatic clock. 2. Flow sensor and master valve capabilities able to detect leaks in zones. 3. Electronic valves with backflow protection devices for underground valves or with air vacuum breaker for above ground anti-siphon valves as approved by the local water utility. 4. Ability to ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Tacoma's zoning code lets rain barrels, tanks and cisterns encroach into a required yard setback, with size and clearance limits that scale up for larger catchment tanks.
Tacoma Rain Barrel Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.010(H)(4)(d)(12)
Rainfall catchment systems, which may include rain barrels, tanks or cisterns as well as associated piping, may extend into a required yard setback according to the following: Rainfall catchment tanks no greater than 600 gallons shall be allowed to encroach into a required setback if each tank is less than 4' wide ...
Native Plants
Tacoma requires all plants used to meet landscaping code requirements to be climate-adapted and explicitly permits native species anywhere; UR-1 and UR-2 development must make at least half of non-tree plantings regionally native, rising to 100 percent inside Open Space Corridors, per TMC § 13.06.090B.3.d.
Tacoma Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Few RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.090B.3.d
Climate adapted. 100 percent of all required plants for landscaping development activities in this code shall be climate-adapted. The retention and use of natives is encouraged and permitted for any and all landscaping. Invasive species, as identified in the UFM, shall not count toward meeting required plantings. Noxious weeds and weeds listed as Class A, B, or C as determined by the Pierce Cou...
Composting
Tacoma exempts a backyard compost pile from its vegetation-waste nuisance rule as long as it stays under two cubic yards, giving residents a lawful way to dispose of grass clippings and yard trimmings on-site.
Tacoma Backyard Compost Pile Limit
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 8.30.040.C.3
Inappropriate disposal or accumulation of vegetation waste, including, but not limited to, grass clippings, cut brush, cut trees, cut weeds, and/or cut wood, except as contained in a compost pile not to exceed two cubic yards, or orderly stacked fire wood, if cut in lengths of four feet or less. 4. Any poisonous or hazardous material or thing on any real estate, so as to allow access to it b...
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tacoma city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Pierce County →