Tacoma, WA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone creation
- Requires resident petition
- Enforcement hours
- 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Permit fee
- Annual; first free if low-income
- Violation fine
- $30 minimum, § 11.05.236
Summary
Tacoma lets residents petition for a 'Residential Parking Zone' restricting on-street parking to permit holders, their visitors, and service vehicles, run under a City Manager-administered program in TMC § 11.05.235.
The City Manager, or designee, is delegated the authority and is authorized to establish and maintain a "Residential Parking Program" ("Program"), consistent with this section, to establish residential parking zones as authorized herein, to prioritize parking in residential areas in which residential parking zones have been established, to manage availability of on-street parking supply, to issue permits authorizing parking within restricted zones...
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
TMC § 11.05.235 authorizes the City Manager to run a citywide 'Residential Parking Program,' establishing Residential Parking Zones where on-street parking is reserved for area residents, their visitors, and service vehicles, either at all times or during posted hours. Zones are created only after Public Works, Parking Services receives and evaluates a resident petition; the City Council then approves the zone. Parking Services enforces zones from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Annual permit fees are set to recover the Program's administrative costs, though households with limited income may get the first permit per address free. Violating a posted zone carries at least a $30 fine under TMC § 11.05.236.
Violations & Fines
Parking in a posted Residential Parking Zone without a valid permit or state disability placard is a parking violation carrying at least a $30 fine under TMC § 11.05.236.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Tacoma neighborhood get a residential parking zone?
What happens if I park in a zone without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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