Electrical permits in Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling an electrical permit in 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 Power.
Free lookup, no account needed — the office that issues the permit at your address, cited to Tacoma's source.
When does electrical work need a permit in Tacoma?
In Tacoma, electrical permits are issued and inspected by Tacoma Power (Tacoma Public Utilities), not WA L&I and not the City's Planning & Development Services. Tacoma's electrical code, TMC chapter 12.06A, applies "in areas served by the City, by and through its Department of Public Utilities, Light Division" (TMC 12.06A.030), and its Chief Electrical Inspector "shall, upon submission of a permit request, issue Permits for the installation or alteration of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, and equipment" (TMC 12.06A.080). The City's permit site lists Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) Power as the agency for "All electrical permits, power service connections, and power infrastructure." TMC 12.06A.210 requires an electrical permit "for the installation, alteration, or maintenance of all electrical systems or equipment", except like-in-kind replacement of a control component, household appliance, circuit breaker, fuse, residential luminaire, lamp, snap switch, dimmer, receptacle outlet, thermostat, heating element, identical luminaire ballast, sign components where the system is not modified, or a motor of 10 horsepower or smaller; induction gate-control loops; heat cable repair; and listed heat mats embedded in tile grout.
From Tacoma's own code
“An Electrical Permit shall be applied for and purchased before electrical equipment may be installed, altered, or repaired. An Electrical Permit is required for the installation, alteration, or maintenance of all electrical systems or equipment, including, but not limited to, when removal of a Tacoma Power owned electric meter is necessary to perform any electrical work.”Source ↗verified 2026-09-25
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
Electrician (journey-level 01 or residential 02)
Who can do this work in Tacoma?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. Kolmo manages the electrical job from start to finish: a licensed electrical contractor performs the work and pulls the permit, and Kolmo coordinates the scope, schedule, inspections and any related construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Tacoma electrical quote.
Notes & caveats
Apply, pay and schedule inspections online through Tacoma Power's Accela portal (mytpu.org/
How to apply yourself
- 1. Check who issues the permit. Run an address lookup for your electrical work in Tacoma — we'll confirm which office issues the permit at that address.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 3 documents under Required submittals above.
- 3. Apply with Tacoma Power.
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Tacoma Power sets them) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
Kolmo runs the job: a licensed electrical contractor does the electrical work and pulls the permit, and Kolmo coordinates the scope, schedule, inspections and any related construction.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Electrical permits in Tacoma — FAQ
When does electrical work need a permit in Tacoma?
In Tacoma, electrical permits are issued and inspected by Tacoma Power (Tacoma Public Utilities), not WA L&I and not the City's Planning & Development Services. Tacoma's electrical code, TMC chapter 12.06A, applies "in areas served by the City, by and through its Department of Public Utilities, Light Division" (TMC 12.06A.030), and its Chief Electrical Inspector "shall, upon submission of a permit request, issue Permits for the installation or alteration of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, and equipment" (TMC 12.06A.080). The City's permit site lists Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) Power as the agency for "All electrical permits, power service connections, and power infrastructure." TMC 12.06A.210 requires an electrical permit "for the installation, alteration, or maintenance of all electrical systems or equipment", except like-in-kind replacement of a control component, household appliance, circuit breaker, fuse, residential luminaire, lamp, snap switch, dimmer, receptacle outlet, thermostat, heating element, identical luminaire ballast, sign components where the system is not modified, or a motor of 10 horsepower or smaller; induction gate-control loops; heat cable repair; and listed heat mats embedded in tile grout.
How much does an electrical permit cost in Tacoma?
Electrical permit fees are Tacoma Power's, set in TMC 12.06A.250 — for example $89 for one to four new or altered branch circuits where the service is not modified, two inspections included — not an L&I fee.