Tacoma, WA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Age threshold
- 40 years old
- Governing body
- Landmarks Preservation Commission
- Commission established by
- TMC Chapter 1.42
- Designation criteria
- 8 individual-property categories
- Effect of listing
- triggers design review
Summary
Tacoma lists eligible properties on its Register of Historic Places once a property turns 40 and retains its historic integrity, triggering Landmarks Preservation Commission design review under Title 13.
The Commission may determine that a property is eligible for consideration for listing on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places if it:
a. Is at least 40 years old at the time of nomination; and
b. Retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association such that it is able to convey its historical, cultural, or architectural significance.
2. Designation criteria for individual property nominations. In addition to the above, a property may be individually designated to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places if it:
a. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
b. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
c. Is associated with culturally significant events, individuals or historical themes that are associated with underrepresented communities on the existing Tacoma Register of Historic Places; or
d. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
e. Has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history; or
f. Abuts a property that is already listed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places and was constructed within the period of significance of the adjacent structure; or
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 Municipal Code § 13.07.040 establishes the Tacoma Register of Historic Places under Chapter 13.07 and the Landmarks Preservation Commission created by TMC Chapter 1.42. The Commission may consider a property eligible if it is at least 40 years old at nomination and retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Individually nominated properties must also meet one of eight added criteria: significant events, significant persons, underrepresented community history, distinctive architecture or craftsmanship, archaeological potential, adjacency to a listed property, National Register listing, or a unique, familiar visual feature. Register listing subjects a property to the Commission's design-review controls.
Violations & Fines
Altering a listed landmark or district property without Landmarks Preservation Commission review and approval is a code violation; the City can require work to stop and the alteration undone to restore the approved condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old must a building be for Tacoma Register listing?
What happens once a property is listed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington historic preservation overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle historic-cultural monuments.