Wastewater Permits and Manuals

If you’re working on your own private plumbing or side sewer project, a City of Tacoma permit is required to ensure the work meets proper standards. City inspectors will verify that your project complies with all regulations. Visit the Wastewater Resources page for more details on private side sewers and to access the Side Sewer Availability Manual.

Contractor Requirements

For pumping or side sewer work done in City rights-of-way, you must hire a licensed and bonded contractor certified to work in Tacoma. You can find contractors in local directories under “Sewer Contractors” or by visiting the Labor and Industries website.

Permits

Planning and Development Services
747 Market Street, Room 345 – Third Floor
Tacoma, WA 98402
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Phone: (253) 591-5030

To discharge additional or short-term waste into the wastewater system, you’ll need a Special Approved Discharge Permit. Applications and fees must be submitted at least 30 days before the requested discharge date. Fees vary based on the quantity and strength of the discharged wastewater, with an administrative fee of $200 – $650.

Note: Sampling may be required to ensure discharges meet water quality standards. Learn more about our efforts to reduce pollutants by checking out our stormwater pollution prevention tips.

For more information on Special Approved Discharge Permits, fees, and regulations, call (253) 591-5588.

If your business needs equipment to prevent pollutants from entering the sewer system, the City of Tacoma offers low-interest loans through our Community Economic Development Department (CEDD).

For more information, please contact Diedre Patterson at (253) 591-5621 or dpatterson3@tacoma.gov.

Industrial wastewater contains contaminants that must be treated before entering the wastewater system. The City’s Pretreatment Program ensures harmful pollutants are removed, benefiting the environment and preventing damage to wastewater treatment facilities.

Key Benefits of Pretreatment:

• Reduces pollutants entering the system
• Protects workers handling wastewater
• Prevents damage to treatment plants
• Increases opportunities for recycling wastewater into products like TAGRO

The City of Tacoma launched its Industrial Pretreatment Program well before it was required by the Washington State Department of Ecology. This proactive initiative helps reduce harmful pollutants from entering the wastewater system and ensures compliance with environmental standards.

Through the Industrial Pretreatment Program, the City of Tacoma:

• Conducts inspections
• Monitors wastewater
• Issues discharge permits
• Offers environmentally safe alternatives, such as mobile washing certification

Since the program began, pollutants like arsenic, copper, lead, and zinc have been reduced by 50% to 99%, with some dropping below detectable levels. The program also extends to businesses outside Tacoma, including Fife, Ruston, Fircrest, and parts of Federal Way and Pierce County.

To learn how your business can comply, call (253) 591-5588.

For more information, view the 2023 Industrial Pretreatment Program Annual Report or the 2023 Master Business List.

Businesses discharging wastewater must complete an Industrial User Survey to help the City identify potential pollutants. Non-residential users must submit the survey per Tacoma Municipal Code TMC 12.08.140 (A). This survey helps determine if businesses meet the criteria for significant industrial users (SIU), as defined in TMC 12.08.010, and ensures that discharges comply with regulatory requirements to prevent issues within the sewer system or treatment facilities.

Surveys available:

• User Survey
• Dental User Survey
• Food Services User Survey

Please download, complete, and submit a signed copy of your survey to:

City of Tacoma
Attn: User Survey
2201 E. Portland Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98421

For assistance, contact Shawn Madison at (253) 502-2120 or via email.

If further review by Source Control staff determines that an industrial permit is needed, you can download the Industrial Wastewater Permit Application or contact Jason Yost for alternative formats via email.

The City of Tacoma conducts over 200 business inspections annually as part of the Industrial Pretreatment Program. These inspections, half of which are unannounced, help ensure that businesses comply with pretreatment guidelines and prevent harmful pollutants from entering the wastewater system.

What to Expect During an Inspection

A typical three-hour inspection includes:

• Visiting loading, storage, and process areas
• Observing the facility’s operations
• Reviewing records
• Sampling and testing waste streams
• Checking area storm drains for pollution, as these drains lead directly to local streams, lakes, and bays

If any issues are found, inspectors provide recommendations for corrective action and offer technical support. The goal is to work closely with businesses to resolve problems and ensure compliance.

Stormwater Complaints and Enforcement

Stormwater employees respond to drainage complaints from industrial, commercial, construction, and residential sites. Most issues are resolved with a site visit, but if necessary, enforcement actions are taken under Chapter 12.08 of the drainage ordinance.

The City has the authority to enforce the ordinance and address the source of pollution. If the business is permitted by the Washington State Department of Ecology, any violations are reported to the state for enforcement under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Contact Information

• For industrial inspection inquiries: (253) 591-5588
• To report illegal dumping: (253) 383-2429

The City of Tacoma is committed to helping businesses comply with regulations and protect our environment. For more information on stormwater compliance, visit our Stormwater Business Source Control web page.

Mobile washing companies provide on-site vehicle cleaning services for businesses. If you hire a mobile washing company, it’s important to ensure they are certified by the City of Tacoma. As the property owner, you are responsible for managing the wash water generated on your premises.

We certify and inspect mobile washing companies to ensure they follow proper practices that prevent dirty, soapy water from entering the storm drain system, which can pollute local lakes, streams, and bays.

Do you operate a mobile washing company? Get certified by calling the City of Tacoma at (253) 591-5588 to ensure your business is compliant with environmental regulations.