Tacoma requires a grading permit for moving more than 100 cubic yards of earth, with steeper thresholds in critical areas and mandatory drainage review through Planning and Development Services.
TMC 2.18 governs site work. A grading permit is required for excavation or fill exceeding 100 cubic yards, slopes steeper than 2:1, or any work in a regulated critical area such as a steep slope, wetland buffer, or shoreline. The application must include a grading plan stamped by a civil engineer, drainage calculations, and erosion control. Planning and Development Services coordinates with Environmental Services on stormwater. Tacoma enforces the 2018 IBC Appendix J as amended. Work without a permit is a code violation under TMC 2.01 enforced by the Building Official.
Unpermitted grading, blocked drainage, or fill in critical areas carries stop-work orders and double permit fees as a penalty.
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 grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
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