Addition permits in City of Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling a home addition permit in City of Tacoma, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Tacoma Planning & Development Services.

Permit required?
Yes — see threshold below
Permit fee
Plan-review fee scales with valuation per UBC Table 1-A. State surcharge $4.50 per building permit. Trade permits (E/P/M) separate.
Review timeline
30–90 days

When does a home addition need a permit in City of Tacoma?

Permit required for any addition to an existing building, OR any new accessory structure ≥200 sqft. Alteration/addition <80% of building valuation = Residential Alteration (BLDRA) permit. ≥80% = Residential New Construction (BLDRN) permit (which subsumes site-development review).

Required submittals

  • site plan to scale 1"=20'
  • floor plan 1/4"=1'
  • building elevations
  • foundation plan
  • roof framing plan
  • wall sections
  • plumbing/mechanical plans

Inspection sequence

  1. foundation/footing
  2. plumbing rough-in
  3. electrical rough-in
  4. mechanical rough-in
  5. framing
  6. insulation
  7. drywall
  8. final

Contractor specialties needed

general

Notes & caveats

From Tacoma residential-permit-process tip sheet: "BLDRA (Residential Alteration/Addition) — Remodels, additions, alterations of less than 80% building valuation, miscellaneous structures without living space or storage space (i.e. walls, fences, pools)." From garages-and-sheds tip sheet: "A building permit is required for any addition to an existing building or for any new accessory structure that is 200 square feet or larger." Applies to single-family + duplex + townhomes (≤6 units, ≤3 stories).

Addition permit fee estimate in City of Tacoma

Worked example for a $120,000 home addition project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.

Building permit fee$1,105.75
Plan review$718.74
WA state surcharge$4.5
Estimated total$1,828.99

Plan-review fee scales with valuation per UBC Table 1-A. State surcharge $4.50 per building permit. Trade permits (E/P/M) separate. Computed from the City of Tacoma fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.

How to apply

  1. 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Tacoma home addition — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (7).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Tacoma Planning & Development Services
  4. 4. Track review (typical: 30–90 days). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Plan-review fee scales with valuation per UBC Table 1-A. State surcharge $4.50 per building permit. Trade permits (E/P/M) separate.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Addition permits in City of Tacoma — FAQ

When does a home addition need a permit in City of Tacoma?

Permit required for any addition to an existing building, OR any new accessory structure ≥200 sqft. Alteration/addition <80% of building valuation = Residential Alteration (BLDRA) permit. ≥80% = Residential New Construction (BLDRN) permit (which subsumes site-development review).

How much does a home addition permit cost in City of Tacoma?

For a $120,000 home addition project, the estimated City of Tacoma permit fee is about $1,828.99 — building fee $1,105.75 + plan review $718.74 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.

How long does City of Tacoma take to review a home addition permit?

Typical review window: 30–90 days.

City of Tacoma resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗