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Tacoma, WA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Tacoma, WA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Governing chapter: TMC Ch. 13.11 Critical Areas Preservation
Trigger: Land in 100-year floodplain or Riparian Buffer
Required filing: Notice on Title under § 13.11.280
Enforcing dept: Planning and Development Services
State mandate: Growth Management Act requires critical area protection

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Tacoma, WA.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Tacoma, WA on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

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.

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 accessory structures, must still obtain review and approval prior to development, and is subject to all applicable regulations including flood, Critical Areas, and Shoreline regulations. Stormwater and drainage features shall incorporate low impact development techniques that the mimic pre-development hydrologic conditions, when technically feasible. (Ord. 28070 Ex. B, 2012-05-08; Ord. 28335 Ex. A, 2015-12-01)

View official code

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 Critical Areas Preservation chapter, adopted because the state Growth Management Act requires cities to designate and protect flood hazard areas, requires anyone developing land in the mapped 100-year floodplain or Riparian Buffer to record a Notice on Title under TMC § 13.11.280 before a permit issues. Even work that wouldn't otherwise need a building permit, material storage, small accessory structures, still requires City review and approval, and must comply with flood, Critical Areas, and Shoreline Master Program regulations together. Planning and Development Services administers review using current FEMA flood insurance rate maps for Pierce County.

Violations & Fines

Developing in a mapped flood hazard area without City review and approval, or without recording the required Notice on Title, can halt work and trigger code enforcement action under TMC Chapter 1.82.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tacoma require a permit for small projects in a flood zone?

Yes: even work that wouldn't otherwise need a building permit, like material storage or a small accessory structure, still needs City review and approval under TMC § 13.11.640 before it can proceed.

What is a Notice on Title and when is it required?

It's a document recorded under TMC § 13.11.280 disclosing that a property contains 100-year floodplain or Riparian Buffer land; it must be recorded before the City issues a development permit.

Sources & Official References

[1]Tacoma Municipal Code § 13.11.640, Critical Areas Preservation (eCode360)

Other rules in Tacoma

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Tacoma rules

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Flood Zones in Nearby Cities

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