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| ePermits – Expedited permit option for work with a limited scope and are not eligible for permit extensions. These permits will be automatically issued after completing required permitting steps and receiving payment. Once issued, the applicant can print the permit and schedule an inspection. | |
| ePermits – Residential: Work to single-family, duplex, or townhouse buildings or structures of 1-2 units | |
| Irrigation System Backflow Preventer (EISBF) | New and replaced backflow preventers installed on or to the water line of commercial or residential private property. |
| Roof Overlay (ERROOF) | Roofing installation over no more than one existing layer of roof material on residential homes, with no structural or pitch changes to the existing roof. |
| Water Connection Repair (ERWTR) | Repair of the existing water line serving a residential structure. This is the line between the meter and the house. This does not include interior water line work within the house. |
| ePermits – Commercial: Work to commercial buildings or structures, including residential buildings of 3 or more units | |
| Roof Overlay (ECROOF) | Roofing installation over no more than one existing layer of roof material on commercial structures, with no structural or pitch changes to the existing roof. |
| Strip and Reroof (ESTRIP) |
Removal of existing roofing material on a commercial building, down to the sheathing, and installation of new roofing material which is similar to the previous material. Example: removal of asphalt shingles and replacement with new asphalt shingles |
| Irrigation System Backflow Preventer (EISBF) | New and replaced backflow preventers installed on or to the water line of commercial or residential private property. |
| ePermits – Fire | |
| Alarm (EFIREA) | Installation or replacement of six devices or less. Work must be associated with a tenant improvement (not for new construction). |
| Alarm Transmitter (EFIRET) | Replacement of a fire alarm transmitter, and may include the installation of a smoke detector above the transmitter if required. |
| Sprinkler (EFIRES) | Installation or replacement of six sprinkler heads or less. Work must be associated with a tenant improvement (not for new construction). |
| Land Use – Permits for property line changes, zoning interpretations, and discretionary review. Land Use Permits are sometimes required prior to receiving an associated Building or Site Development permit. | |
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Land Use (LU)
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Within the Land Use application is a Permit Type selection where applicants identify which types of land use permits they are applying for. Below are the general choices: – Accessory Dwelling Unit |
| Land Use Appeal or Reconsideration | File an appeal or request reconsideration of an issued Land Use Decision. |
| NOTE: For more information see the Land Use Tip Sheets and Submittal Checklists at TacomaPermits.org. | |
| Residential – Any work to single-family, duplex, or townhouse buildings or structures of 1-2 units | |
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Alteration (BLDRA)
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Repairs, remodels, additions and/or changes to existing buildings/structures: – partial or interior demolition, siding, roofing, windows, decks, dormers, ramps, stairs, landings, building additions, retaining walls |
| Demolition (DEMOR) | Demolition of an entire building or structure. |
| Fire Protection (FIRER) | Fire alarm, above ground fire sprinkler. |
| Mechanical (MECHR) | Relocate, remove, or new installation: ventilation units, duct work, dryer hookups, exhaust fans, heating, a/c units. |
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New Building (BLDRN)
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New or replaced buildings or structures: – single-family home, duplex, or townhouse 1-2 units – detached shed, garage, gazebo, or other structure – fences over 7 feet high, retaining walls over 4 feet high. |
| Plumbing (PLMBR) | Relocate, remove, or new: piping, toilets, showers, sinks, dishwashers, laundry hookups, water heaters. |
| NOTE: Grading, paving, gravel, cut, and fill on private property is reviewed under the residential building permit, unless over 50 cubic yards of cut/fill is proposed; in which case, a Site Development permit is required. | |
| Commercial – Any work to commercial buildings or structures, including residential buildings of 3 or more units | |
| Alteration (BLDCA) | Repair or change to existing buildings/structures: – partial or interior demolition, siding, windows – addition, balcony, ramps, stairs, landings, roof repair, roof overlay (requires pre-inspection) – Retaining walls |
| Demolition (DEMOC) | Demolition of a whole building or structure. |
| Fire Protection (FIREC) | Fire alarm, above ground fire sprinkler, underground fire sprinkler, kitchen hood suppression, clean agent suppression system, standpipe, pump, radio enhancement system, smoke control. |
| Mechanical (MECHC) | Relocate, removal, or new: HVAC units, duct work, dryer hookups, boilers, refrigerators and other equipment. |
| New Building (BLDCN) | New or replaced buildings or structures. |
| Plumbing (PLMBC) |
Relocate, removal, or new installation of: water heaters, piping, toilets, showers, sinks, dishwashers, laundry hookups, grease interceptor plumbing (sewer permit also required), backflow preventers. |
| Signage (SIGN) |
Advertising signage painted on buildings. Freestanding, or sign structures attached to a building. |
| NOTE: A separate Site Development Permit application is required prior to or on the same day as a Commercial New Building or Alteration application for any associated site work, utilities, clearing, grading, cut or fill, paving, gravel, parking lot, restriping, landscaping, and stormwater facilities on private property. | |
| Site Development – Projects that may require a civil engineer for on-site grading, paving, gravel, cut, and fill, parking, restriping, landscaping, stormwater facilities | |
| Noise Variance (NVAR) | Variance for construction taking place on nights or weekends outside of allowed hours per Tacoma Municipal Code 8.122. |
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Site Development (SDEV)
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On-site grading, gravel, cut, and fill over 50 cubic yards, paving, parking striping, landscaping, driveway approach, and stormwater facilities. |
| NOTE: One civil plan set that includes both on-site and off-site design may be submitted instead of separating the plan sets for on- and off-site designs. However, both Site Development and Work Order applications are still required with a combined civil plan set. | |
| Right of Way (ROW) – Permits for work within City right-of-way | |
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Work Order (WO)
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Civil-engineered stamped drawings for right-of-way, streets, sidewalk, curb, gutter, driveway or alley approach, ADA ramp, landscaping, structures, sewer main extension. |
| ROW Construction (RCON) | – Driveway or alley approach – Sidewalk, curb/gutter, or limited paving – Irrigation lines in the right-of-way – Potholing or trenching |
| ROW Occupancy (ROCC) | – Private use or structure within the right-of-way – Ramp, railing, stairs, door swing, building encroachment – Landscape irrigation, non-perpendicular utility connection – Sidewalk Café, Temporary Sidewalk Café |
| ROW Tree Work (RTRE) | Removal, planting, or pruning of trees within the right-of-way. |
| ROW Use (RUSE) | Banners, barricade, special motor vehicle, overtime parking, dumpsters, and moving containers such as PODS. |
| ROW Utility (RUTI) | Utility installation and maintenance within the right-of-way. |
| NOTE: Some projects will require both a ROW Occupancy permit and a Work Order permit due to structures or other civil engineering work within the scope of the project. A separate application for each permit is required. | |
| Utility Connection – Repair, replacement, remove, or new connection from the site / building to utility main | |
| Surfacewater (STORM) | Connection to City stormwater system or installation of a stormwater facility. |
| Wastewater (SEWER) | Connection for side sewer, grease interceptor, floor drains, toilets, sinks, dumpster pads, oil/water separators. |
| Water (WATER) |
Connection (from the meter to the building) for domestic or commercial water service. Permits to connect from the water main to the meter are issued by Tacoma Water, at Tacoma Public Utilities. Please contact them at mytpu.org or (253) 502-8247. |
| NOTE: Separate permits are required for utility work within the right-of-way. | |
| Special Event – Temporary assembly permits | |
| Special Event (EVENT) | Events of 50 or more people assembling and/or traveling on public streets, sidewalks, beaches, parks, plazas, etc. |
| Historic – For projects located within locally designated historic districts and/or locally designated historic properties (Tacoma Register of Historic Places) | |
| Historic Design Review (HDR) | Design review is an approval process that projects involving historic properties must complete prior to the start of work or issuance of development permits. For projects that result in visual or material changes to a historic property, approval must be given by the Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission. For more information, visit cityoftacoma.org/historicpreservation. |
| OTHER AGENCIES THAT ISSUE PERMITS & LICENSES | |
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Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) Power |
All electrical permits, power service connections, and power infrastructure. |
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Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) Water |
Water service in right-of-way, new water/fire meter. |
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City of Tacoma Public Works Real Property Services cityoftacoma.org |
Street Vacation, Deed. |
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Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department |
Restaurants and all food and drink production/service, septic tanks and other underground tanks. |
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Puget Sound Clean Air Agency |
Air quality related to marijuana production and processing, asbestos, coffee roasters, and other business types. |
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City of Tacoma Tax and License |
Business license, home occupation license, rental license. |
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State of Washington |
Variety of required regulations and permits issued by the State. |
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Historic Design Review |
Design review for sites/buildings with historic designation or significance. |
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Tacoma Fire |
Operational Permits. |
