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Tacoma exempts fences 7 feet or less from building permits. Taller fences, fences with structural components, or fences in environmentally sensitive areas may require permits. Zoning compliance is required regardless.
Tacoma regulates fence heights by yard location. Front yard fences are typically limited to 4 feet. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6–7 feet. Fences up to 7 feet are exempt from building permits.
Tacoma treats fence placement on private property as a civil matter and does not intervene in disputes between neighbors. Washington State's partition fence law (RCW 16.60) addresses shared boundary fences. Property surveys are recommended.
In unincorporated Pierce County, retaining walls may be built within required setbacks to a maximum height of 6 feet under zoning. A building permit is required once a wall exceeds 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top, or whenever it supports a surcharge.
Fences in unincorporated Pierce County may be placed within required setbacks up to 6 feet without a permit, must be measured from the adjacent ground including all attachments, and must preserve corner and driveway sight distance under Title 17B PCC. Cities set their own separate requirements.
Pierce County zoning does not prohibit specific fence materials for typical residential fences. Barbed wire and other security devices are allowed and counted toward the 6-foot height limit. Sight-distance rules at corners and driveways govern placement more than material type.
Any typical fence material is allowed in unincorporated Pierce County, since zoning regulates height, setback, and sight distance rather than material type. Wood, vinyl, chain link, and masonry all qualify. Security fencing up to 8 feet is limited to utility, industrial, or agricultural uses.
Washington requires pool barriers for residential and public pools through state-adopted building code provisions and Department of Health rules ensuring minimum 48-inch fencing.
Tacoma requires property owners to maintain trees that overhang public sidewalks and streets. The city's Urban Forestry program manages street trees. Tacoma has strong tree protection policies aligned with Washington State's environmental priorities.
Tacoma Water provides service from the Green River watershed and generally has adequate supply. Mandatory watering restrictions may be imposed during drought but are not routinely in effect. The utility promotes voluntary conservation.
Tacoma requires property owners to maintain vegetation under the city's nuisance and property maintenance codes. Overgrown grass and weeds that create a nuisance or health hazard trigger code enforcement action.
Tacoma regulates tree removal through its environmental and land use codes. Washington State has strong tree and stormwater protections. Development projects must account for significant trees and may require replacement plantings.
Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to choose their own yard plants; the mandates apply to development landscape and clearing plans, not existing private landscaping.
Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pierce County Noxious Weed Control Board (PCC Chapter 8.24) inspects, orders control, and can abate at the owner's cost.
Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger systems or those used for potable or plumbed uses may trigger plumbing-permit and Health Department review.
Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zoning, impervious-surface, stormwater, and critical-area rules that apply to any ground-cover change.
Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwise becomes a public nuisance can be abated under PCC Chapter 8.08; large-scale composting is a permitted solid-waste facility.
Tacoma requires owned cats to be licensed and identified, encourages indoor or supervised outdoor housing, and authorizes the Humane Society to handle stray, nuisance, and trap-neuter-return situations across the city.
Tacoma caps how many dogs and cats can be kept at one residence and requires a kennel or hobby permit when residents exceed the standard household limit, helping prevent hoarding and nuisance situations.
Tacoma allows residents to keep a limited number of chickens and small livestock at single-family homes, subject to coop setbacks, sanitation rules, and a strict prohibition on roosters within most residential zones.
Tacoma strongly encourages microchipping dogs and cats and treats current chip registration as a key part of licensing and stray reclaim, even though state law does not formally require chips for every pet.
Tacoma treats animal hoarding as a public health and welfare emergency, allowing the Humane Society and Tacoma-Pierce County Health to enter, inspect, remove animals, and pursue criminal cruelty charges in serious cases.
Tacoma prohibits feeding deer, raccoons, coyotes, and other wild mammals because intentional feeding creates dangerous habituation, attracts pests, and increases conflicts in dense neighborhoods near Point Defiance and other green spaces.
Tacoma sees regular coyote activity along greenbelts and parks, and the city coordinates with Washington Fish and Wildlife on hazing, education, and pet safety rather than routine lethal removal of healthy animals.
Tacoma requires dogs to be on a leash or under physical control when off the owner's property. Dogs must be licensed with Pierce County. Off-leash areas are available at designated dog parks.
Tacoma does not have breed-specific legislation. Washington State preempts local breed bans under RCW 16.08. Dogs are classified as dangerous or potentially dangerous based on behavior, not breed.
Tacoma allows backyard beekeeping in residential zones. Hives must be maintained responsibly with water sources and flyway barriers when near neighbors. Washington State is generally supportive of urban beekeeping.
Tacoma regulates exotic animals under city health code and Washington State WDFW regulations. Venomous snakes, large cats, primates, and bears are prohibited without special permits. Chickens are allowed but roosters are banned.
Livestock keeping in unincorporated Pierce County is set by zoning code PCC 18A.37.060 and scales with lot size. Lots under one-half acre allow only two small livestock; lots five acres or larger have no numeric limit. Setbacks and manure-management rules apply.
Tacoma follows Washington fire code limits on residential propane storage, capping cylinder size, requiring proper outdoor placement, and prohibiting storage of large tanks inside garages or near heat sources at single-family homes.
Tacoma requires property owners to keep grass, brush, and dead vegetation cleared around homes and structures so that fire crews can access buildings and reduce wildfire risk along the city's gulches and forested edges.
Tacoma's mix of urban density and forested gulches creates pockets of elevated wildfire risk, and homeowners near Point Defiance, Mount Rainier highway corridors, and steep ravines should expect closer fire code review.
Tacoma allows recreational fire pits with restrictions. Fire pits must be in approved containers, at least 25 feet from structures, and attended at all times. Only clean, dry wood is permitted. Fires must be extinguished during PSCAA burn bans.
Open burning is prohibited in Tacoma under Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) regulations and city fire code. Recreational fires in approved containers are allowed with restrictions. Yard waste and debris burning is banned.
Tacoma bans the sale and discharge of fireworks within city limits. Only state-licensed professional displays with city permits are allowed. The ban covers all consumer fireworks including sparklers and firecrackers.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Pierce County without a permit, but only small fires burning clean wood or charcoal. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency caps them at three feet across, and all fires stop during seasonal burn bans.
Washington law (RCW 43.44.110) requires smoke detection devices in all dwelling units. In Pierce County rentals, the landlord must install and ensure working alarms at move-in, while tenants handle battery upkeep. Fines apply for violations.
Tacoma caps short-term rental occupancy under TMC 6B.130 to ensure neighborhood safety, manage parking, and prevent oversized party-house operations within otherwise residential blocks.
Tacoma encourages on-site or local responsible-party presence for short-term rentals so guest issues can be addressed quickly, though state law RCW 35.21.770 limits how strictly the city can mandate residency.
Tacoma short-term rental operators must carry adequate liability coverage, either through a commercial host policy or a qualifying platform-provided policy, to qualify for registration under TMC 6B.130.
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 can suspend or revoke a short-term rental registration after repeated verified violations under TMC 6B.130, treating chronic problem listings as nuisance properties subject to escalating penalties.
Tacoma works with booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo to surface registration numbers, collect lodging taxes, and remove unregistered listings, sharing compliance duties between hosts and platforms.
Tacoma requires short-term rental operators to obtain a city business license and comply with zoning regulations. STRs must meet fire, building, and health codes. The city has developed regulations as the STR market has grown in the Puget Sound region.
STR guests in Tacoma must follow the city's noise ordinance (TMC 8.122). Quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM apply to all properties. Operators must inform guests about noise expectations and may lose their license for repeated violations.
Tacoma STR operators must collect and remit Washington State sales tax, special hotel/motel tax, and Tacoma's lodging tax. Platforms like Airbnb may collect some taxes automatically, but operators must verify full compliance.
STR guests in Tacoma should use available off-street parking. Guest vehicles on the street must comply with city parking rules. Operators should provide parking instructions to minimize neighborhood impact.
Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 sets no limit on how many nights per year a vacation rental may operate. A rental meeting the five-room, ten-guest, affidavit, parking, and neighbor-notice standards may operate year-round. The only length limit is per stay: rentals over 30 consecutive days are not regulated as vacation rentals.
Instead of a license, Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(6) requires the owner to file a Vacation Rental Affidavit with Planning and Public Works. It states the owner's intent to operate the residence as a vacation rental, gives contact details, lists the advertising websites, and confirms neighbor notification was provided.
Tacoma is one of Washington's most tiny-home-friendly cities. Tiny houses on a permanent foundation 400 square feet or less are permitted under IRC Appendix Q, adopted statewide in Washington effective July 1, 2021, and applied in Tacoma through TMC 2.02. Tiny homes are most commonly permitted as Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs) under TMC 13.06.150, with the Home In Tacoma zoning package effective February 1, 2025 expanding allowed locations.
Tacoma treats carports as detached accessory structures under TMC Title 13.06 (Land Use Regulatory Code) and Title 2.02 (Building Code, adopting the 2018 IRC). A building permit is required for any new accessory structure 200 square feet or larger. Where vehicular access is not from an alley or side street, a garage or carport must be set back at least 5 feet behind the front facade of the house.
Tacoma permits attached (AADU) and detached (DADU) accessory dwelling units ministerially under Tacoma Municipal Code 13.06.150. Washington HB 1337 (2023, codified at RCW 36.70A.681-696) requires Tacoma to allow up to two ADUs on every residential lot. Permits are issued by Planning and Development Services (PDS), and review is a Type I administrative process — no public hearing, no design review.
Under RCW 36.70A.681(1)(g) (HB 1337), Tacoma may not charge impact fees on ADUs under 1,000 square feet, and impact fees on ADUs 1,000 sq ft and over are capped at 50% of the fee imposed on the primary dwelling. Standard PDS permit fees, TPU water/sewer capacity charges, and Pierce County school impact fees still apply where authorized.
Tacoma allows long-term rental of ADUs without restriction. Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) of ADUs require a Tacoma Business License and, where the property has both a main dwelling and an ADU, only one of the two units may be used as a short-term rental at any given time. RCW 36.70A.681 prohibits Tacoma from outright banning ADU rentals.
Tacoma does not require owner-occupancy for ADUs. Washington HB 1337 (codified at RCW 36.70A.696) prohibits all Washington cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs permitted on or after July 23, 2023. TMC 13.06.150 has been updated to remove any owner-occupancy condition. No deed restriction is required.
Tacoma allows two ADUs per lot in zoning districts that permit residential development. Both attached and detached ADUs (DADUs) are permitted. Living area is limited to 1,000 square feet. No parking is required for ADUs. Tacoma offers pre-approved DADU plans.
Tacoma allows sheds and accessory structures on residential property. Small structures under 200 square feet generally do not require a building permit. Sheds must meet setback requirements and cannot be used for habitation.
Tacoma permits garage conversions to living space including ADUs. Washington State's ADU laws (HB 1337) streamline conversions. Building permits are required. No replacement parking is needed when converting a garage to an ADU.
Swimming pool permits in Tacoma are issued by Planning and Development Services under TMC Title 2.02 (Building Code, adopting the 2018 IRC and IBC). Per IRC R105.2, prefabricated residential pools less than 24 inches deep are permit-exempt; in-ground and larger above-ground pools require a building permit. Pool barriers must comply with IRC Appendix AG, and barrier fences up to 7 feet are permit-exempt (above 7 feet require a separate permit).
Tacoma requires all residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high under the adopted International Residential Code. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Washington State's residential building code applies.
Tacoma enforces pool safety requirements under the adopted building codes. Pools must have compliant drain covers, barriers, GFCI electrical protection, and pass inspections. Building permits are required for all pool construction.
Above-ground pools in Tacoma with water over 24 inches deep must meet barrier requirements. The pool wall may count as part of the barrier if the ladder is removable. Electrical connections must be GFCI protected.
In unincorporated Pierce County, spas and hot tubs fall under 2021 IRC Appendix G, but county guidance provides that a spa or hot tub with an approved lockable safety cover, and a pool with a powered lockable cover complying with ASTM F1346, need not have a separate 48-inch barrier installed.
Tacoma allows construction Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 9 PM, and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 9 AM to 9 PM. Work outside these hours requires a noise variance approved under TMC 8.122.
Tacoma regulates barking dogs under the noise ordinance and Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society enforcement. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors constitutes a nuisance. Owners receive warnings before citations.
Tacoma prohibits excessive and unnecessary noise between 10 PM and 7 AM under TMC Chapter 8.122 (Noise Control). Daytime noise is also regulated with decibel limits. The city operates a Noise Control program with a hotline and education resources.
Aircraft noise is regulated federally (FAA) and by the State. Tacoma is near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; local ordinances do not override federal aviation authority.
Pierce County has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. In unincorporated areas, gas leaf blowers fall under the general Chapter 8.76 decibel limits and the Chapter 8.72 public disturbance rule. Residential yard maintenance is exempt from decibel limits 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Washington has no statewide gas-blower ban.
For most industrial noise, Pierce County defers to the State. PCC 8.72.120.D states that, apart from motor vehicles, industrial-area noise is regulated by the State of Washington. The Chapter 8.76 EDNA table still caps industrial (Class C) source noise at 60-70 dBA at the receiver, with exemptions for established operations.
In unincorporated Pierce County, outdoor amplified music, band sessions, and social-gathering noise are barred by PCC 8.72.090.F when loud, raucous, and disturbing to neighbors, at any hour. Officially sanctioned parades and public events are exempt from the decibel limits (PCC 8.76.070.D.8). Cities permit outdoor events under their own codes.
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.72.090.F makes loud and raucous amplified sound - from an instrument, amplifier, band session, tavern, or social gathering - a public disturbance noise when it frequently or continuously disturbs neighbors. It applies at any hour and is enforced by the Sheriff on complaint.
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.72.090.H makes it unlawful for a car or vessel sound system to be clearly heard 50 feet or more from the vehicle in residential or commercial areas. Frequent engine, horn, or off-road-vehicle noise is also barred (PCC 8.72.090.B-C). Vehicle-in-motion noise follows WAC 173-62.
In unincorporated Pierce County, PCC 8.76.060 adopts Washington's WAC 173-60 decibel table: for a residential (Class A) source and receiver the daytime limit is 55 dBA, dropping 10 dBA to roughly 45 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Limits rise for commercial and industrial property.
Tacoma restricts RV and boat storage on residential property. Recreational vehicles should be stored in driveways, side yards, or rear yards. Street storage is subject to the 72-hour limit. Living in an RV on residential property is prohibited.
Tacoma enforces a 72-hour parking limit on city streets. Vehicles must be moved from the same spot within 72 hours. Some areas have posted time limits, metered parking, or residential permit zones.
Tacoma requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces in residential areas. Driveways must meet city standards. Parking on unimproved yard areas is a code violation. New driveway connections require a right-of-way permit.
Tacoma restricts large commercial vehicles in residential zones. Heavy trucks, construction equipment, and oversized commercial vehicles may not be stored overnight in residential neighborhoods. Standard work vehicles are generally acceptable.
Abandoned vehicles on public streets are addressed under TMC 8.23 (Public Nuisance Vehicles). Vehicles that are inoperable, missing parts, or have expired plates may be reported and towed.
Unincorporated Pierce County has no blanket overnight on-street parking ban; state law RCW 46.61.570 governs where vehicles may stand, and a vehicle left too long may be tagged and impounded under RCW 46.55. Overnight living in an RV on a residential lot requires a Temporary Use Permit. Cities set their
Pierce County requires new development in unincorporated areas to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure under PCC 18A.35.040, following Table 18A.35.040-3 for EV charging stations, EV-Ready, and EV-Capable spaces. Equipment must meet RCW Chapter 19.28 and NEC Article 625, with exceptions for small parking areas and sites without power.
Loading and unloading on public roads in unincorporated Pierce County follows Washington's RCW 46.61.570, which allows parking for loading only temporarily while actually loading or unloading, and bars parking within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. Off-street loading facilities for development are set by the Title 18A zoning code. Cities
In unincorporated Pierce County, curb colors and no-parking markings are established by the County, not private residents. Under RCW 46.61.570, parking restrictions are effective only when set by official signs or markings, and parking limits are imposed by county resolution. Residents may not paint public curbs to reserve parking. Cities
Unincorporated Pierce County regulates oversized and large-vehicle storage through the Title 18A zoning code and the Chapter 8.08 nuisance provisions rather than a single size cap. A wrecked, dismantled, or derelict oversized vehicle is a public nuisance under PCC 8.08.050. On public roads, RCW 46.61.570 placement rules apply. Cities impose
Tacoma restricts business signage in residential zones. Home occupations may not display commercial signs. A small nameplate may be permitted. Illuminated and freestanding signs are prohibited in residential areas.
Tacoma's home occupation rules limit customer traffic to maintain residential neighborhood character. Businesses generating significant vehicle or foot traffic are not suitable as home occupations.
Tacoma allows home occupations in residential zones with conditions. The business must be secondary to residential use, not alter the exterior, and not generate excessive traffic. A city business license is required.
Selling homemade non-hazardous foods from a Pierce County home requires a Washington Cottage Food Operation permit from the state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) under RCW 69.22 and Chapter 16-149 WAC, with a $35,000 annual gross sales cap.
A basic home occupation in unincorporated Pierce County is allowed as an accessory use under PCC 18A.37.110 if only the resident performs it and one vehicle up to 18,000 pounds is used; larger cottage industries need an Administrative Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit.
A home-based day care in unincorporated Pierce County may operate from a residence under PCC 18A.37.100, serving up to 12 individuals with a DCYF-approved fence around the outdoor play area, and must hold a Washington family home child care license from DCYF.
Tacoma cannot adopt traditional rent control because Washington state law RCW 35.21.830 preempts cities and counties from regulating the amount of rent on private residential property.
Tacoma renters are protected by statewide just-cause eviction rules under HB 1236 (2021), codified in RCW 59.18.650, plus enhanced local protections in the Tacoma Renter Protections Ordinance, TMC 1.95.
Security deposits in Tacoma follow Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act under RCW 59.18, with limits on installment timing, written checklists, and prompt return after move-out.
Tacoma requires landlords of residential rental property to register units with the Rental Housing Code program, supporting habitability inspections and disclosure of contact information for tenants.
Under the Tacoma Renter Protections Ordinance (TMC 1.95, 2023), tenants displaced by large rent increases or no-fault terminations may qualify for relocation assistance funded by the landlord.
Washington law and Tacoma policy bar landlords from refusing tenants based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, veterans benefits, and Social Security.
For nonpayment of rent, a Washington landlord must serve a 14-day pay-or-vacate notice in the form set by RCW 59.18.057 before filing an unlawful detainer under RCW 59.12.030. Lease-violation terminations require a 10-day cure notice, and waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity requires only 3 days. Most evictions also require just cause under RCW 59.18.650.
RCW 59.18.060 requires Washington landlords to keep rentals 'fit for human habitation' — structurally sound, weathertight, with working plumbing, heat, hot water, electrical systems, pest control, and reasonable locks. After written notice, RCW 59.18.070 sets repair deadlines: 24 hours for lost heat, water, or electricity, 72 hours for major fixtures, 10 days otherwise.
RCW 59.18.150 requires a Washington landlord to give at least two days' written notice before entering to inspect, repair, or maintain the unit, and at least one day's notice to show it to prospective tenants or buyers. Entry must be at reasonable times; no advance notice is required only in a genuine emergency.
Under RCW 59.18.170, a Washington landlord may not charge any late fee on rent paid within five days of its due date; a fee may begin only once rent is more than five days past due. The statute sets no specific dollar cap, though some cities and counties impose stricter local limits.
Under RCW 59.18.200, a Washington tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy with at least 20 days' written notice. A landlord, however, cannot end a periodic tenancy at will: RCW 59.18.650 requires 'just cause,' and most landlord-driven reasons (owner move-in, sale, demolition) demand 60 to 120 days' written notice.
Under RCW 59.18.140, a Washington landlord must give at least 90 days' prior written notice before raising rent (30 days for income-based subsidized housing). The 2025 Rent Stabilization Act (HB 1217) also caps annual increases statewide and bars any increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy.
Washington's general adverse possession period is 10 years under RCW 4.16.020, requiring possession that is actual, open and notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous. A shorter 7-year period applies under RCW 7.28.070 when the occupant holds under good-faith color of title and pays all taxes legally assessed on the land for those seven years.
Tacoma cannabis retailers must sit at least 1,000 feet from elementary and secondary schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child-care centers, public parks, public transit centers, and libraries unless a reduced buffer applies under state rules.
Washington does not authorize licensed cannabis home delivery to consumers. Tacoma customers must purchase in person at a licensed retail storefront, present valid identification, and comply with state daily purchase limits.
Washington bars recreational home cultivation of cannabis statewide, so Tacoma residents cannot grow plants for personal adult use. Only qualified medical patients with state authorization may grow limited plants under RCW 69.51A.
Tacoma allows licensed recreational cannabis retailers only in specific commercial and industrial zones under TMC Title 13, with limits on the total number of stores set by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Tacoma follows the Washington State Building Code, which requires fire sprinkler systems in many new multifamily and townhouse projects and triggers sprinkler upgrades when older buildings undergo significant additions or change of use.
Elevators in Tacoma apartments, hotels, and commercial buildings are regulated by Washington Department of Labor and Industries, which issues permits, performs annual inspections, and shuts down units found unsafe.
Tacoma owners and contractors must follow federal lead-safe rules and Washington disclosure law for homes built before 1978, including using certified renovators on covered work and providing lead pamphlets to buyers and tenants.
Tacoma uses the Washington State Energy Code and supports its Climate Action Plan with rules favoring efficient construction, electric-ready new homes, and incentives for high-performance buildings across the city.
Tacoma owners must keep buildings free of rats, cockroaches, and bed bugs, with Tacoma-Pierce County Health and code enforcement responding to infestations that threaten habitability, food safety, or shared neighbor walls.
Tacoma operates bridge housing and tiny-home village sites as transitional shelter pathways, with site rules and zoning frameworks that allow flexible deployment within Pierce County's homelessness response.
Tacoma manages sanitation, public-health, and cleanup operations at unsanctioned encampments through Neighborhood and Community Services, working with Tacoma-Pierce County Health and outreach providers.
Tacoma regulates sitting, lying, and obstructing public sidewalks during certain hours and in defined business districts, balancing pedestrian access with constitutional limits on criminalizing homelessness.
Anyone handling unpackaged food in Tacoma restaurants must obtain a Washington Food Worker Card within 14 days of hire by passing the state online food-safety course administered through Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Tacoma residents can drop off used syringes free at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department needle-exchange and approved pharmacy sites. State law bars disposing of sharps in household trash or curbside recycling.
Tacoma restaurants display color-coded inspection cards from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: green (excellent), blue (good), yellow (fair), or red (closed) based on routine food-safety inspection results.
Tacoma property owners must keep premises free of rat harborage, food sources, and breeding conditions. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department investigates complaints and can order abatement under nuisance and code-enforcement authority.
Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act requires Tacoma landlords to maintain rental units free of insect infestations, including bed bugs, and to disclose recent infestation history before signing a lease under RCW 59.18.060.
Washington bars the sale of cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, vapor products, and electronic-smoking devices to anyone under 21 under RCW 70.155.010, and Tacoma retailers must verify age on every transaction.
Washington has not enacted a permanent statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vape products, though the State Board of Health imposed a temporary flavored-vape ban in 2019. Tacoma defers to state and federal flavor rules.
Vape shops in Tacoma need a Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board vapor-product retail license plus a Tacoma business license, must verify age 21, and cannot operate self-service displays accessible to anyone under 21.
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.
Washington state law caps non-essential diesel truck idling at five minutes, and Tacoma enforces tighter Port-area idling rules through the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy.
Construction sites in Tacoma must install erosion and sediment control BMPs before any clearing, with mandatory perimeter silt fencing, stabilized entrances, and inspections during the wet season.
Tacoma enforces a Stormwater Management Manual under TMC 12.08, requiring runoff controls, treatment BMPs, and permits for any project disturbing 2,000 square feet or more.
Tacoma adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2021 with a citywide goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, an 80 percent reduction by 2030, and a Climate Justice lens for frontline neighborhoods.
Tacoma has FEMA-mapped flood zones, particularly along the Puyallup River and its tributaries. Development in flood hazard areas requires permits and must comply with NFIP requirements. Environmentally sensitive areas including floodplains must be identified on all development plans.
Washington's Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) requires Shoreline Substantial Development Permits for most construction within 200 feet of marine and freshwater shorelines statewide.
Tacoma follows the statewide RCW 70A.530 ban on thin single-use plastic carryout bags. Retailers must charge an eight-cent pass-through fee on permitted reusable plastic or recycled-paper carryout bags supplied at checkout.
Under RCW 70A.245, Tacoma food-service businesses may provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, cup lids, and similar accessories only when the customer requests them or affirmatively chooses them through self-service.
Tacoma food-service businesses cannot sell or distribute expanded polystyrene foam foodware, packing peanuts, or coolers under RCW 70A.245. The statewide ban took effect in 2024, replacing prior local foam restrictions.
Washington RCW 70A.550 limits single-use food service ware including plastic straws and utensils to upon-request distribution at restaurants and food service businesses.
Tacoma Water offers leak adjustment credits when customers repair an unseen plumbing leak within 60 days of detection, refunding a portion of the excess water and sewer charges.
Tacoma Water relies on the Green River and South Tacoma wells. During declared shortages it requests voluntary reductions of 10 to 20 percent, escalating to mandatory limits if drought worsens.
Tacoma produces Class A reclaimed water at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant for industrial process use, dust control, and irrigation, governed by Washington Department of Ecology rules.
Home In Tacoma Phase 2, adopted 2024, allows missing-middle housing citywide and concentrates higher density along future Sound Transit TLink corridors and existing Pierce Transit BRT routes.
Tacoma plans growth through One Tacoma, the citywide comprehensive plan, plus subarea plans for downtown, Tideflats, South Tacoma, and other neighborhoods adopted under the Growth Management Act.
Tacoma offers density and height bonuses under TMC 13.06A for projects providing affordable housing in mixed-use centers, allowing extra floors and reduced parking in exchange for income-restricted units.
The 2010 Mobility Master Plan, refreshed via Vision Zero, expands bike lanes, neighborhood greenways, and protected facilities, with riders required to follow Washington vehicle code and yield to pedestrians on shared paths.
Tacoma authorizes shared e-scooter operators through a permitted pilot program with speed caps of 15 mph, mandatory parking corrals, and prohibitions on sidewalk riding in the downtown core.
TMC 13.06.090 requires a permit to remove regulated trees on most private property, with mandatory replacement at ratios that scale with tree size and stricter rules in critical areas.
When trees are removed under permit, Tacoma requires replanting on site at ratios from 1 to 1 up to 3 to 1, or payment into a tree fund if site capacity is exceeded.
Tacoma secondhand dealers must hold a city business license, record every transaction with seller ID, hold tagged property for a waiting period, and electronically report data to the Tacoma Police Department.
Tacoma tobacco and vapor product retailers must hold a Tacoma business license plus a Washington state tobacco license, and must comply with the statewide minimum age of 21 set by RCW 70.155.
Tacoma pawnbrokers need a city business license, must report every loan to the Tacoma Police Department, must hold pledged property for at least 30 days, and are capped at the interest rates set in RCW 19.60.
Smoke shops and hookah lounges in Tacoma need a city business license under TMC Chapter 6B, must follow Washington's Smoking in Public Places Act, and cannot allow on-site combustible tobacco use indoors.
Tow operators in Tacoma must hold a Washington Registered Tow Truck Operator certificate, a Tacoma business license, and follow state-set non-consensual towing rates, signage rules, and notice requirements under RCW 46.55.
Massage establishments in Tacoma must operate with state-licensed massage therapists under RCW 18.108, hold a Tacoma business license, and meet zoning rules that bar massage businesses from residential districts.
Outdoor smoking in Tacoma must stay 25 feet away from public-building doors, windows, and air intakes under Washington's Smoking in Public Places Act, and is banned outright in many city parks under Metro Parks Tacoma rules.
Tacoma generally prohibits open containers and consumption of alcohol on public sidewalks, streets, and parks unless the area is part of a licensed Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board event or a designated alcohol-impact area exception.
Tacoma treats loud, repeated, or unreasonable parties as public disturbances under TMC Chapter 8.122 and Chapter 11, with fines that escalate when officers must respond more than once at the same address.
Tacoma allows passive panhandling but prohibits aggressive solicitation that involves threats, blocking pedestrians, near-ATM begging, or solicitation in roadways under TMC Chapter 8 public-peace provisions.
Tacoma voters passed Initiative 1B in 2015 to raise the local minimum wage, but the local floor was structured to track the higher Washington state minimum, which sits at $16.66 per hour for 2026 under RCW 49.46.020.
Tacoma workers receive Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave under RCW 49.86 and statewide paid sick leave under RCW 49.46.200, with the city deferring to the state programs rather than running its own paid-leave system.
Washington has no statewide predictable scheduling law and does not preempt local rules, allowing cities like Seattle to enforce secure scheduling ordinances.
Tacoma adopted Resolution 39423 in 2017 declaring itself a welcoming city, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act under RCW 10.93.160 limits local police cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement statewide.
Washington has no state E-Verify mandate, and RCW 49.60 prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or immigration-related characteristics statewide.
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, which prohibits visible emissions exceeding 20% opacity for more than 3 minutes in any 60-minute period, and to PSCAA burn bans. Multi-family balconies are governed by Tacoma Fire Code (IFC 308.1.4) and may not host wood-fired smokers.
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 and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies of buildings containing three or more dwelling units when within 10 feet of combustible construction. Single-family backyards are not restricted. Wood and charcoal grilling may be limited during Puget Sound Clean Air Agency burn bans.
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Tacoma require building permits from Planning and Development Services (PDS) when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a structural roof, under Tacoma Municipal Code Title 2.02 (which adopts the 2018 International Residential Code). Detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft and not connected to utilities may qualify as exempt from a building permit but still require zoning clearance.
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 outdoor displays, the city's sign code at TMC 13.06.520 covers commercial messaging on residential property, and HOAs typically set binding rules. Most residential displays operate freely with no permit.
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 and do not encroach into the public right-of-way. Signs with commercial messaging are regulated by TMC 13.06.520, and HOA architectural review still applies. Right-of-way encroachment is prohibited under TMC 9.18.
Tacoma does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. The Noise Code (TMC 8.122) applies to continuously running blower motors, the sign code (TMC 13.06.520) only reaches inflatables bearing commercial messaging, and outdoor electrical connections require GFCI protection under the National Electrical Code as enforced by Washington L&I.
Maximum building height in unincorporated Pierce County is set by zone. Residential zones such as Suburban Residential (SR), Residential Resource (RR), and ROC are capped at 35 feet, while rural zones like R5 through R40 allow 40 feet. Denser and commercial zones permit more.
Building setbacks in unincorporated Pierce County depend on the zone. In the Suburban Residential (SR) zone, the minimums are 25 feet front on an arterial, 15 feet front on a non-arterial, 5 feet interior/side, and 10 feet rear. Detached accessory structures keep a 3-foot minimum setback.
Pierce County zoning controls building bulk mainly through yard-area limits rather than a single lot-coverage percentage. Detached single-story accessory structures may cover up to 25 percent of an interior yard and 50 percent of a rear yard, and on lots under 1 acre they cannot exceed 2,000 total square feet.
Pierce County Code Chapter 8.08 sets no numeric grass-height limit for unincorporated properties; overgrown vegetation is addressed only where it creates a public nuisance under PCC 8.08.040 or a fire, sight-distance or drainage hazard. Noxious weeds are separately controlled by the Pierce County Noxious Weed Control Board under RCW 17.10.
Pierce County Code 8.08.050(F) makes property where solid waste has accumulated a public nuisance unless the waste is securely stored in receptacles designed to prevent threats to health, safety or the environment. Curbside carts in unincorporated areas are supplied by the WUTC-certificated hauler serving each area.
Vacant and rural lots in unincorporated Pierce County fall under Code Chapter 8.08, which makes accumulated solid waste, junk vehicles, abandoned appliances and unsecured hazards public nuisances regardless of whether the parcel is occupied. Owners remain responsible for abatement costs under PCC 8.08.
Pierce County requires no permit for occasional residential garage or yard sales in unincorporated areas, treating them as an accessory home activity rather than a business. Sales must not create a public nuisance under Code Chapter 8.08, and off-premise signs in the county right-of-way are not allowed.
Pierce County Code Chapter 8.08 declares accumulated solid waste, junk vehicles, unpermitted salvage sites and unfinished structures to be public nuisances in unincorporated Pierce County, and lets Planning & Public Works order abatement after voluntary compliance fails. Cities like Tacoma and Puyallup enforce their own blight codes.
Pierce County Code sets no countywide curb setout time, so cart placement in unincorporated areas follows the WUTC-certificated hauler's tariff. Waste must still be securely contained under PCC 8.08.050(F), and haulers must offer accommodations for long or steep driveways and residents with limited mobility under PCC 8.29.030.
Pierce County Code 8.29.030 requires certificated haulers to offer every-other-week, single-stream curbside recycling to all single-family homes in unincorporated areas, using an approximately 96-gallon cart. Recycling participation by residents is voluntary, but haulers must provide the service and accept a defined list of materials.
Pierce County Code Chapter 8.30 establishes a county solid waste handling system for all unincorporated areas, but residential garbage collection is provided by private haulers certificated by the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC), not the county. Murrey's Disposal, LeMay, American Disposal and DM Disposal serve the unincorporated county.
Pierce County residents dispose of bulky items, appliances and extra debris either through their WUTC-certificated hauler's on-call bulky pickup or by self-hauling to a county transfer station or the LRI landfill. Abandoning large appliances is a specific nuisance under PCC 8.08.050(E) and dumping them elsewhere is a misdemeanor.
Dumping garbage, sewage or debris on any street, public property or private property without the owner's consent is a misdemeanor under Pierce County Code 8.32.020. State law RCW 70A.200.060 layers on penalties from a civil infraction up to a gross misdemeanor plus cleanup restitution, depending on the volume of litter.
Garage sale signs are temporary signs under PCC 18B.10.040 in unincorporated Pierce County. They need no permit, but only one non-yard temporary sign is allowed per road frontage and signs may not sit in the right-of-way.
In unincorporated Pierce County, political signs are protected speech treated as temporary yard signs under PCC 18B.10.040, need no permit, must stay under 32 square feet, and may not block traffic visibility.
Pierce County's countywide exterior illumination standards in PCC 18J.15.085 require hidden light sources, downward-directed shielded floodlights, and a 3000 Kelvin maximum color temperature to limit skyglow and glare.
Pierce County's exterior illumination standards in PCC 18J.15.085 require lighting to avoid glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties, keeping illumination on the premises it is intended to light.
Under the Pierce County Park Code (Chapter 14.08), gated parks follow posted hours and, in other areas, no person may be present or park a vehicle more than one-half hour after legal sunset without a permit.
Washington does not impose a statewide juvenile curfew; cities may enact local curfews under general police powers, subject to constitutional limits.
Commercial drone operations in Washington are governed by FAA Part 107, with state law adding criminal liability for invasive uses and limited authority over state-owned land.
Washington combines federal FAA airspace preemption with state criminal statutes prohibiting drone voyeurism, harassment, and interference with first responders that apply uniformly statewide.
Washington issues concealed pistol licenses under RCW 9.41.070 on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants, with statewide preemption preventing local concealed carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.290 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority over firearm laws to the state legislature with very limited exceptions.
Washington allows open carry of firearms by qualified adults without a permit, with limited statutory restrictions and broad preemption barring most local open carry rules.
Washington RCW 9.41.050 governs carrying firearms in vehicles statewide, requiring a concealed pistol license to carry a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle.
Washington has two regimes. Communities created on or after July 1, 2018 fall under WUCIOA (RCW 64.90), whose lien carries a 6-month super-priority over first mortgages and can be foreclosed like a mortgage. Older associations use the Homeowners' Associations Act (RCW 64.38), whose lien may be foreclosed only after strict notice and dollar thresholds.
Washington requires HOA board meetings to be open to owners and gives owners broad record-access rights. WUCIOA communities follow RCW 64.90.445 (open meetings) and RCW 64.90.495 (records); older associations follow RCW 64.38.035 and 64.38.045. As of January 1, 2026, the WUCIOA open-meetings rule (RCW 64.90.445) applies to all Washington community associations.
Washington HOAs may adopt and enforce rules and architectural standards and enforce the recorded declaration. Under WUCIOA, RCW 64.90.405 authorizes rule adoption and enforcement, while RCW 64.90.510 fixes outer limits the rules cannot cross (flags, solar, signs). Older HOAs draw the same rulemaking power from RCW 64.38.020.
Both Washington regimes let HOAs impose reasonable fines, but only after notice and an opportunity to be heard and only under a fine schedule already adopted by the board and furnished to owners. WUCIOA communities use RCW 64.90.405; older associations use RCW 64.38.020. Neither statute sets a dollar cap on fines.
Washington statutes override HOA covenants that ban solar panels, the U.S. or state flag, or political signs. WUCIOA RCW 64.90.510 protects all three for newer communities; older HOAs are covered by RCW 64.38.055 (solar), 64.38.033 (U.S. flag), and 64.38.034 (political yard signs). HOAs may set reasonable time, place, and manner rules but cannot prohibit outright.
Washington's Growth Management Act under RCW 36.70A.170 requires counties and cities to designate and protect agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance through zoning.
Washington RCW 7.48.305 protects established agricultural activities from nuisance lawsuits when operations existed before nearby nonagricultural land uses changed the area.
Washington RCW 64.38.055 voids homeowner association covenants prohibiting solar panel installation on owner property statewide, while permitting only reasonable placement rules that do not significantly impair efficiency or increase cost.
Washington RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510 prevent HOAs and condominium associations from prohibiting solar panels, while RCW 35.21.700 limits local government ability to ban solar collectors on residential property.