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Content current as of 04/09/25

PDS Commissions, Boards, & Advisory Groups

The Planning and Development Service Department supports six different commissions, boards, and advisory groups.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission develops and updates the Comprehensive Plan and its elements; formulates effective and efficient land use and development regulations and processes that implement the Comprehensive Plan; and reviews various planning issues, such as area-wide zoning reclassifications, moratoria, interim zoning, pre-annexation planning, historic district designation, urban design, and transportation and capital facilities programs.
Planning Commission Meetings & Details

Urban Design Board

The Urban Design Board is a dedicated citizen's group established by the Tacoma City Council to support our community's goals for a high-quality built environment. According to Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 13.19, the Urban Design Board reviews Urban Design Project Review permits, advises on urban design-related matters, and supports design excellence citywide. 
Urban Design Board Meetings & Details

Landmarks Preservation Commission

The Landmarks Preservation Commission oversees the establishment and regulation of landmarks, local historic districts, proposed name changes for public facilities, and certain property tax incentives. Additional information about the Commission is available through the City's Historic Preservation Department.
Landmarks Preservation Commission Meetings & Details

Board of Building Appeals

The Board of Building Appeals was established as a quasi-judicial board that reviews and approves the updating of the City's Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Dangerous Building, Minimum Housing, Boiler, and Energy Codes.
Board of Buildings Appeals Meetings & Details

Advisory Groups

Establishment

The Tacoma Permit Advisory Group (TPAG), formerly the Tacoma Permit Advisory Task Force, began in December of 2017. The Tacoma City Council adopted Resolution 40967 to formally establish the TPAG in May 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities

The TPAG will:

  • Make Permit System Recommendations: Meet monthly with City staff to review, discuss, and provide recommendations to City Manager and City Council for the improvement of City policies, codes, and procedures for the issuance of residential and commercial permits. Review best practices in peer communities. Monitor implementation progress and recommend adjustments.
  • Review City Policies Under Consideration: Review and provide recommendations to the City Manager and City Council regarding proposed City policies and laws that affect the development code and the permitting system.
  • Establish Guiding Principles: Establish guiding principles to guide policy and best practice recommendations made by the Advisory Group.

Staff Contact: Christopher Johnson at cjohnso2@tacoma.gov or (253) 502-2164

Planning and Development Services Staff Liaison: Char Carlyle at ccarlyle@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-2039

Meeting Information

2 PM Third Wednesday of the month.

Meetings are hybrid. Held in person (747 Market Street, Room 243) and accessible via Zoom.

By phone: (253) 215-8782 | Passcode: 193952

Zoom Webinar ID: 831 4233 8104

Public Comment

The TPAG welcomes verbal public comment on agenda items to assist in decision-making. As a result, all verbal comments must be limited to agenda items. Time will be set aside for public comment at the end of each regular meeting.

Membership

Members are representative of a broad base of permit applicants or other development stakeholders who routinely apply for permits or engage directly with City staff on development proposals. By January 1, 2025, it is the intention of the Council that at least half of the membership reside in the City of Tacoma.

Each member will be appointed for a two-year term, for a maximum of three terms (six years total).

The Advisory Group has 18 members who represent industries and the community:

  • At-large members (7)
  • Industry-specific members (11)
    • Retail
    • Healthcare
    • Hospitality
    • Public Sector
    • Residential Contractor/Developer
    • Commercial Contractor/Developer
    • Land Use Attorney
    • Urban Design
    • Architect
    • Civil Engineer
    • Affordable Housing

Current Volunteers

Become a Member of Tacoma’s Permit Advisory Group

People interested in joining the group should complete and apply for the Tacoma Permit Advisory Group Application.

All applications must be submitted via email at permitadvisorygroup@tacoma.gov. All applications will be reviewed by the TPAG chair, co-chairs, and City staff. They may conduct interviews of the most qualified candidates before making a candidate recommendation to the Tacoma City Manager.

2025 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting DateMeeting AgendaMeeting MinutesMaterials
January 15, 2025Agenda
February 19, 2025Agenda
March 19, 2025
April 16, 2025
May 21, 2025
June 18, 2025
July 16, 2025
August 20, 2025
September 17, 2025
October 15, 2025
November 19, 2025
December 17, 2025

2024 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting DateMeeting AgendaMeeting MinutesMaterials
January 17, 2024AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
Handout 1
February 21, 2024AgendaMinutesHandout 1
March 5, 2024AgendaMinutesSUBCOMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING

Memorandum
March 20, 2024AgendaMinutes
April 17, 2024AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
May 15, 2024AgendaMinutes
June 18, 2024AgendaMinutesHandout 1
PowerPoint 1
July 17, 2024Agenda
August 21, 2024AgendaMinutes
September 5, 2024AgendaMinutes HIT Special Meeting
September 18, 2024AgendaMinutes
October 16, 2024AgendaMinutes
November 20, 2024AgendaMinutes
December 18, 2024Cancelled

2023 Agendas and Minutes

Meeting DateMeeting AgendaMeeting MinutesMaterials
January 18, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
February 15, 2023AgendaMinutes
March 15, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
April 19, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
PowerPoint 2
May 17, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
June 21, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
July 19, 2023AgendaMinutes
August 16, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
September 20, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
PowerPoint 2
October 18, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
Handout 1
November 15, 2023AgendaMinutesPowerPoint 1
December 20, 2023Cancelled

 

Establishment

The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Task Force was established by Resolution No. 41195, adopted on May 9, 2023.

The TOD Task Force is a joint task force of the Planning and Transportation Commissions to provide coordinated input on the overall design and integration of major, regional transportation projects in transit-oriented development areas and policy direction on transit-oriented development policies and plans, with a particular focus on the upcoming periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan, including the Transportation Master Plan.

How To Comment

The TOD Taskforce meets on the second Wednesday of each month at noon. While all TOD Taskforce meetings are open to the public, in order to accommodate TOD Taskforce business, public comment is only accepted in written form. To provide written comments, please email by 5:00 PM the day before the meeting to Planning@tacoma.gov. Comments received will be made public in the form of an attachment to the meeting agenda.

How To Attend

To attend the TOD Task Force meeting please use the following information:

  • In Person: Conference Room 138, 1st Floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street
  • Virtually: www.zoom.us/j/85831009869
  • Dial In: +1 253 215 8782; Webinar ID: 858 3100 9869

Please see below for the associated materials of each meeting with its respective date.

Staff Contact: Wesley Rhodes, Senior Planner at wrhodes@tacoma.gov

Staff Contact: Carrie Wilhelme, Transportation Planner at cwilhelme@tacoma.gov

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