Tacoma distinguishes operator-occupied (primary residence) STRs from non-operator-occupied units, with stricter zoning and registration treatment for whole-home investor rentals under TMC 6B.130.
Tacoma Municipal Code 6B.130 categorizes short-term rentals as operator-occupied, where the host lives on-site for most of the year, or non-operator-occupied, which are typically whole homes rented while the owner is elsewhere. Registration requirements, fees, and zoning treatment differ between the two categories, and some residential zones limit non-operator-occupied STRs more tightly. Hosts must declare which category applies and update the city if their living situation changes during the registration period.
Misrepresenting occupancy status can result in registration revocation and civil penalties under TMC 6B.130.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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 primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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