Kitchen remodel permits in City of Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a kitchen 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 kitchen remodel need a permit in City of Tacoma?
Cabinets, countertops, painting, tiling, carpeting and similar finish work are exempt. New circuits, fixture relocation, or plumbing modifications require respective trade permits.
How City of Tacoma adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.51), which City of Tacoma adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“The International Building Code, International Residential Code, and International Existing Building Code, as adopted and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council under the State Building Code, as defined in TMC § 2.02.100 , are hereby adopted as the official Building Code of the City of Tacoma. The Tacoma Building Code as defined in TMC § 2.02.100 is also amended to include the adoption of IBC Appendix Chapter G, the adoption of IEBC Appendix A, and a new Appendix J added to the IEBC.”Source ↗verified 2026-04-29
Required submittals
- floor plan with fixture locations
- electrical layout
- plumbing diagram
- WSEC compliance form if envelope/lighting affected
Inspection sequence
- rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
- 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 kitchen 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 kitchen 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" are exempt. However: "The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures" are exempt — implying that pipe rearrangement (typical for kitchen sink relocation) DOES require a plumbing permit. Most kitchen remodels touching electrical or plumbing trigger permits.
Kitchen remodel permit fee — Washington baseline, not City of Tacoma's own schedule
Worked example for a $35,000 kitchen remodel project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $492.25 |
| Plan review | $319.96 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.5 |
| Estimated total | $818.71 |
Fees set by jurisdiction. WA Building Code Council surcharge: $6.50 per building permit. Trade permits separate. 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 kitchen 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. WA Building Code Council surcharge: $6.50 per building permit. Trade permits separate.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull kitchen 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
Kitchen remodel permits in City of Tacoma — FAQ
When does a kitchen remodel need a permit in City of Tacoma?
Cabinets, countertops, painting, tiling, carpeting and similar finish work are exempt. New circuits, fixture relocation, or plumbing modifications require respective trade permits.
How much does a kitchen remodel permit cost in City of Tacoma?
For a $35,000 kitchen remodel project, the estimated City of Tacoma permit fee is about $818.71 — building fee $492.25 + plan review $319.96 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.
How long does City of Tacoma take to review a kitchen remodel permit?
Typical review window: 10–21 days.