Public Health Rules in Pierce County, WA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Pierce County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Rodent Control

Pierce County's rodent control code, Chapter 8.20 PCC, makes it unlawful to keep food, run a dock or warehouse, or live in a residence in the county without complying with rat-proofing and sanitation rules the Director of Health can inspect and enforce. Buildings must be rat-proofed with approved materials, food kept out of rats' reach, and traps supplied and checked daily, with violators facing up to $300.00 and 90 days in jail.

Pierce County Rodent Control Requirements

Some Restrictions

PCC 8.20.010

It is unlawful for any person to keep, store or expose for sale any food products or other goods, or to occupy or maintain any dock, building, storeroom or warehouse or to reside in any residence without complying with the provisions of this Chapter.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Syringe Disposal

Pierce County's drug paraphernalia ordinance bans delivering or selling syringes and other injection equipment, but it expressly protects legal distribution of injection syringe equipment through public health and community-based HIV prevention programs from prosecution.

Pierce County Syringe Program Exemption

Light Restrictions

PCC 9.56.030.A

9.56.030 Remedies. A. Any person who violates any provision of subsections A. and B., or who sells or gives, or permits to be sold or given, to any person any drug paraphernalia in any form commits a Class 1 Civil Infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW and shall be punished accordingly, pursuant to Chapter 7.80 RCW and the infraction rules for courts of limited jurisdiction. It shall be no defense t...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Public Health Rules by City in Pierce County

2 cities in Pierce County have their own public health rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

TacomaPop. 219,346

2 verified rules • Rodent Control, Syringe Disposal

LakewoodPop. 65,064

1 verified rule • Rodent Control

All Pierce County ordinances

See every category we cover for Pierce County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Pierce County Ordinance Hub →