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.

Permit required?
Yes — see threshold below
Permit fee
Fees set by jurisdiction. Plus separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits.
Review timeline
10–21 days

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.

Required submittals

  • floor plan with fixture locations
  • plumbing diagram
  • electrical layout
  • waterproofing detail at tub/shower

Inspection sequence

  1. rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
  2. shower-pan/waterproofing
  3. insulation if walls opened
  4. drywall
  5. final

Contractor specialties needed

general, electrical-01-or-02, plumbing

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 estimate in City of Tacoma

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$4.5
Estimated total$580.76

Fees set by jurisdiction. Plus separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. 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 bathroom remodel — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (4).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Tacoma Planning & Development Services
  4. 4. Track review (typical: 10–21 days). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 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.

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 $580.76 — 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.

City of Tacoma resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗