Plumbing permits in City of Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling a plumbing 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
Plumbing permit fees by fixture count. Standard residential ~$80-$250.
Review timeline

When does a plumbing need a permit in City of Tacoma?

Exempt: stopping leaks in drains/water/soil/waste/vent pipe; clearing stoppages; repairing leaks in pipes/valves/fixtures; removing and reinstalling water closets — provided no replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures. Defective concealed-trap or drainpipe replacement = new work, permit required.

Required submittals

  • fixture count + DFU calc for repipes
  • water heater specs
  • sewer line plan if site work involved

Inspection sequence

  1. rough-in / pressure test
  2. final

Contractor specialties needed

plumbing

Notes & caveats

Per TMC 2.02.540 amendment to IRC R105.2 (Plumbing section): "The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code." Also: "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."

Plumbing permit fee estimate in City of Tacoma

Worked example for a $6,000 plumbing project (plumbing permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.

Building permit fee$150
Plan review$97.5
WA state surcharge$4.5
Estimated total$252

Plumbing permit fees by fixture count. Standard residential ~$80-$250. 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 plumbing — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (3).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Tacoma Planning & Development Services
  4. 4. Track review (typical: ). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Plumbing permit fees by fixture count. Standard residential ~$80-$250.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Plumbing permits in City of Tacoma — FAQ

When does a plumbing need a permit in City of Tacoma?

Exempt: stopping leaks in drains/water/soil/waste/vent pipe; clearing stoppages; repairing leaks in pipes/valves/fixtures; removing and reinstalling water closets — provided no replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures. Defective concealed-trap or drainpipe replacement = new work, permit required.

How much does a plumbing permit cost in City of Tacoma?

For a $6,000 plumbing project, the estimated City of Tacoma permit fee is about $252 — building fee $150 + plan review $97.5 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.

City of Tacoma resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗