Tacoma, WA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- License term
- 3 years
- 1st violation fee
- $500
- 3rd+ violation fee
- $2,000
- Inspection deadline
- 3 months after notice
- Training required
- City safety training course
Summary
Tacoma requires a provisional rental property license, backed by a paid certificate of inspection, once a rental property racks up serious code, derelict, or fire violations.
Any person required to have a provisional rental property license shall be subject to the following conditions: Certificate of inspection. The owner shall submit a certificate of inspection based on the criteria outlined in Section 6B.165.090: 1. Within three months of notice of violation of this chapter; or 2. The owner receives approval of a work plan from the City's Neighborhood and Community Services Department that will bring the property into compliance with RCW 59.18.060 within six months of the date of notice of violation.
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
The City's provisional rental property license program under TMC Chapter 6B.165 kicks in when Minimum Building Code violations exceed 24 points, a building is ruled derelict, or Fire Code violations exist. Once flagged, the owner must submit a certificate of inspection from a qualified inspector, HUD-, ASHI-, or state-licensed, or a city code enforcement officer, within three months of the violation notice, or get city approval of a compliance work plan within six months. Owners or their agents must also complete City-approved landlord-tenant safety training. The license runs three years and its fee climbs with repeat violations.
Violations & Fines
Missing the certificate-of-inspection deadline, skipping the required safety training, or submitting a falsified inspection can trigger fines up to $5,000 and loss of qualified-inspector status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers Tacoma's provisional rental license?
How much does the license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle inspection programs.