Construction sites in Tacoma must install erosion and sediment control BMPs before any clearing, with mandatory perimeter silt fencing, stabilized entrances, and inspections during the wet season.
Under TMC 12.08 and the adopted Stormwater Management Manual, contractors must implement an erosion and sediment control plan before breaking ground. Required practices include silt fencing at downhill perimeters, stabilized construction entrances, covered stockpiles, sediment traps, and immediate seeding or mulching of disturbed soil. The wet season runs October 1 to April 30, with stricter cover requirements. Inspectors from Environmental Services may issue stop-work orders for sediment leaving the site. Tacoma sits on glacial till slopes prone to landslides, making erosion control critical near steep ravines and shoreline bluffs.
Sediment-laden runoff leaving the site is a violation carrying fines up to 10,000 dollars per day plus mandatory cleanup costs.
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 15-foot accessory-structure height limit in TMC 13.06 a...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. The Noise Code (TMC 8.122) applies to continuously running blower motors...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance at TMC 8.122 applies to any amplified ...
Tacoma, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Tacoma require building permits from Planning and Development Services (PDS) when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas pip...
Tacoma, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Tacoma single-family yards are permitted but subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section 9.11, ...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma adopts the International Fire Code through TMC Title 3 (Fire Prevention) as Tacoma Fire Code. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices...
See how Tacoma's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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