Side sewer permits in Tacoma: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a side sewer 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 Planning & Development Services.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot lines and the house, with a plan to draw the side sewer, cited to Tacoma's source.
When does side sewer work need a permit in Tacoma?
Where the City of Tacoma owns the sewer, all work to repair, rehabilitate, replace or construct a private side sewer needs a City permit and must meet the City's Side Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual (TMC 12.08B.150), so any repair counts, with no minimum length. Where a sewer district owns the main, that district issues the permit under its own code, so confirm the owner of the main before applying. WAC 51-56, the state plumbing code, governs how the building sewer is laid.
From Tacoma's own code
“All work necessary to repair, rehabilitate, replace, or construct new private side sewers shall be performed pursuant to a permit issued by the City and in accordance with the standards set forth in the Side Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual.”Source ↗verified 2026-10-24
What Tacoma says in its own permit handout
From Fixing Your Side Sewer, published by Tacoma. This is the jurisdiction's own guidance on its permit process, not the ordinance text — where the two differ, the code governs.
“Permits are always required, on both private property and in the right-of-way, when performing repair work on side sewers or plumbing fixtures so construction inspectors can inspect the work and ensure it meets City standards. Permits are not required for root removal or unclogging services.”Handout ↗read 2026-09-05
Required submittals
- Site plan with sewer line route
- Depth + slope detail
- Cleanout locations
- Utility locate ticket
Inspection sequence
- Pre-cover (open trench)
- Air / water test
- Final
Contractor specialties needed
Side sewer contractor
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 prepares the drawings and submittals, files the side sewer permit with Tacoma Planning & Development Services, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Tacoma side sewer quote.
Notes & caveats
Issuing body is the sanitary sewer utility, not the building department, and inspection is the utility's too. Some utilities additionally require the contractor to hold a side-sewer card or registration before they will issue; it is not universal, so check the serving utility's own rules rather than assuming either way.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Draw the side sewer. Run an address lookup for your side sewer work in Tacoma — we'll pull your lot lines and the house, and you can draw the side sewer's run to the street on a plan of the lot.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 4 documents under Required submittals above.
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Tacoma Planning & Development Services ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (the sewer utility that serves the lot sets them) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files with Tacoma Planning & Development Services, handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Side sewer permits in Tacoma — FAQ
When does side sewer work need a permit in Tacoma?
Where the City of Tacoma owns the sewer, all work to repair, rehabilitate, replace or construct a private side sewer needs a City permit and must meet the City's Side Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual (TMC 12.08B.150), so any repair counts, with no minimum length. Where a sewer district owns the main, that district issues the permit under its own code, so confirm the owner of the main before applying. WAC 51-56, the state plumbing code, governs how the building sewer is laid.
How much does a side sewer permit cost in Tacoma?
Where the City owns the sewer, Tacoma's side sewer permits are priced in its right-of-way fee table (Table 6-1): a $130 sanitary sewer connection permit issuance fee, $450 for each house sewer connection to a City main, and $400 to repair a house sewer to the City main or to a septic tank, each $110 more if the contractor is to repair the street. Table 1 adds the technology (5%), emergency preparedness (5%) and reserve fund (2%) surcharges. Where a sewer district owns the main, its own fees apply.