Bathroom remodel permits in City of Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a bathroom remodel 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.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Tacoma's source.
When does a bathroom remodel need a permit in City of Tacoma?
Tile, paint, fixture-replacement-without-relocation are exempt under "finish work". Pipe rearrangement, new circuits, or relocated fixtures require permits.
How City of Tacoma adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.56), which City of Tacoma adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“The Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State Building Code as defined in TMC § 2.02.100 is hereby included in the City of Tacoma Plumbing Code as adopted by this chapter. Section 104.5 and Table No. 104.5 are hereby deleted from the UPC. Fees shall be in accordance with TMC Chapter 2.09 . (Repealed and reenacted by Ord. 27890 Ex. A, 2010-06-15 ; repealed and reenacted by Ord. 28155 Ex. A, 2013-06-11 ; Ord. 28363 Ex. A, 2016-06-14 ; Ord. 28729 Ex. B, 2021-01-26 ; Ord. 28957 Ex. A, 2024-03-05 )”Source ↗verified 2026-04-29
Required submittals
- floor plan with fixture locations
- plumbing diagram
- electrical layout
- waterproofing detail at tub/shower
Inspection sequence
- rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
- shower-pan/waterproofing
- insulation if walls opened
- drywall
- final
Contractor specialties needed
general, electrical-01-or-02, plumbing
Who can do this work in City of Tacoma?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Tacoma and Pierce County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the bathroom remodel permit with Tacoma Planning & Development Services, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Tacoma bathroom remodel quote.
Notes & caveats
Per TMC 2.02.540 amendment to IRC R105.2: "Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work" exempt. Plumbing-leak repairs and water-closet removal-and-reinstallation are exempt "provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures." Any pipe rearrangement triggers a plumbing permit. GFCI/AFCI per WA-amended NEC.
Bathroom remodel permit fee — Washington baseline, not City of Tacoma's own schedule
Worked example for a $22,000 bathroom remodel project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $349.25 |
| Plan review | $227.01 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.5 |
| Estimated total | $582.76 |
Fees set by jurisdiction. Plus separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. We have not read City of Tacoma's adopted fee schedule, so this is not City of Tacoma's fee: it walks the standard valuation table most Washington cities adopt by reference, as a rough guide. The real numbers are in City of Tacoma's fee schedule ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Tacoma bathroom remodel — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (4).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Tacoma Planning & Development Services ↗
- 4. Track review (typical: 10–21 days). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Fees set by jurisdiction. Plus separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull bathroom remodel permits in City of Tacoma every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Tacoma Planning & Development Services, handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Bathroom remodel permits in City of Tacoma — FAQ
When does a bathroom remodel need a permit in City of Tacoma?
Tile, paint, fixture-replacement-without-relocation are exempt under "finish work". Pipe rearrangement, new circuits, or relocated fixtures require permits.
How much does a bathroom remodel permit cost in City of Tacoma?
For a $22,000 bathroom remodel project, the estimated City of Tacoma permit fee is about $582.76 — building fee $349.25 + plan review $227.01 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.
How long does City of Tacoma take to review a bathroom remodel permit?
Typical review window: 10–21 days.