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.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Tacoma's source.
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 City of Tacoma adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.56), which City of Tacoma adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“The Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State Building Code as defined in TMC § 2.02.100 is hereby included in the City of Tacoma Plumbing Code as adopted by this chapter. Section 104.5 and Table No. 104.5 are hereby deleted from the UPC. Fees shall be in accordance with TMC Chapter 2.09 . (Repealed and reenacted by Ord. 27890 Ex. A, 2010-06-15 ; repealed and reenacted by Ord. 28155 Ex. A, 2013-06-11 ; Ord. 28363 Ex. A, 2016-06-14 ; Ord. 28729 Ex. B, 2021-01-26 ; Ord. 28957 Ex. A, 2024-03-05 )”Source ↗verified 2026-04-29
Required submittals
- fixture count + DFU calc for repipes
- water heater specs
- sewer line plan if site work involved
Inspection sequence
- rough-in / pressure test
- final
Contractor specialties needed
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 plumbing 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 plumbing quote.
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."
How to apply yourself
- 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. 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 (Plumbing permit fees are set by fixture count in the city's fee schedule.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull plumbing 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
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?
Current fee per the City of Tacoma fee schedule: Plumbing permit fees are set by fixture count in the city's fee schedule.. Plus ancillary plan-review/tech-surcharge fees per city schedule.