Electrical permits in City of Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a electrical 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 electrical need a permit in City of Tacoma?
WAC 296-46B (WA-adopted 2020 NEC) requires an electrical permit for essentially all electrical work. L&I issues them in most jurisdictions; some cities run their own program. L&I publishes the exemption list, and it is narrower and more specific than "ordinary repairs": travel trailers; plug-in household appliances; and the LIKE-IN-KIND replacement of lamps, a single set of fuses, a single battery under 150 amp-hour, control components such as contactors, relays, timers, starters and circuit boards, one household appliance, circuit breakers (branch-circuit overcurrent protection only, per NEC 100), single-family residential luminaires, up to five snap switches, dimmers, receptacle outlets, thermostats, heating elements or identical luminaire ballasts, sign and outline-lighting components replaced on-site by an electrical contractor without modifying the system, and one motor of ten horsepower or smaller. AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PERMIT IS NOT AN EXEMPTION FROM INSPECTION: L&I requires an inspection request before any electrical work is covered, no later than 3 business days after the work is finished or 1 business day after any part is energized, whichever comes first, and failure to request one can carry civil penalties.
How City of Tacoma adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 296.46b), which City of Tacoma adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“A. RCW and WAC adoption and incorporation by reference. Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, the City hereby adopts and incorporates into this chapter, the Tacoma Electrical Code, those provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”) contained in Chapter 19.28, and the Washington Administrative Code (“WAC”), Chapter 296-46B, that relate to electrical installations including, but not limited to, methods of construction, repair, maintenance, use of materials, and approval of such installations intended to insure the safety of life and property. B. NEC adoption.”Source ↗verified 2026-04-29
Required submittals
- scope description
- load calc for service changes
- panel schedule for new panels
Inspection sequence
- rough-in
- service inspection (if applicable)
- final
Contractor specialties needed
electrical-01-or-02
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 electrical 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 electrical quote.
Notes & caveats
Per TMC 2.02.540 amendment to IRC R105.2 (Electrical section): "See TMC Chapter 12.06A." Tacoma defers electrical permit requirements to its own TMC Chapter 12.06A and to WAC 296-46B (WA L&I electrical rules). Per state WA standard: new circuits, service panel changes, and fixture relocation require electrical permits; like-for-like switch/receptacle replacement within an existing box does not.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Tacoma electrical — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (3).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Tacoma Planning & Development Services ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Electrical permit fees are set by circuit count and service size in the issuing agency's fee schedule.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull electrical 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
Electrical permits in City of Tacoma — FAQ
When does a electrical need a permit in City of Tacoma?
WAC 296-46B (WA-adopted 2020 NEC) requires an electrical permit for essentially all electrical work. L&I issues them in most jurisdictions; some cities run their own program. L&I publishes the exemption list, and it is narrower and more specific than "ordinary repairs": travel trailers; plug-in household appliances; and the LIKE-IN-KIND replacement of lamps, a single set of fuses, a single battery under 150 amp-hour, control components such as contactors, relays, timers, starters and circuit boards, one household appliance, circuit breakers (branch-circuit overcurrent protection only, per NEC 100), single-family residential luminaires, up to five snap switches, dimmers, receptacle outlets, thermostats, heating elements or identical luminaire ballasts, sign and outline-lighting components replaced on-site by an electrical contractor without modifying the system, and one motor of ten horsepower or smaller. AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PERMIT IS NOT AN EXEMPTION FROM INSPECTION: L&I requires an inspection request before any electrical work is covered, no later than 3 business days after the work is finished or 1 business day after any part is energized, whichever comes first, and failure to request one can carry civil penalties.
How much does a electrical permit cost in City of Tacoma?
Current fee per the City of Tacoma fee schedule: Electrical permit fees are set by circuit count and service size in the issuing agency's fee schedule.. Plus ancillary plan-review/tech-surcharge fees per city schedule.