City Charter
The City of Tacoma is governed by a city charter. Tacoma is one of 11 cities in the State of Washington to operate under a city charter. Other cities include Seattle and Spokane.
About the Tacoma City Charter
A city charter serves as the organic law of the City establishing a basic set of rules for city government. Like the constitutions for the state and federal governments, the city charter establishes the form of city government and the branches, officers, and departments, and defines their relationships and how they interact.Â
The current version of the Tacoma City Charter has been in place since 1953 and has been amended multiple times. View the Charter revision history below, and Charter Review Committee page for more information.
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Tacoma’s City Charter can only be changed by a vote of the people. Proposed changes can be initiated by the City Council or through a voter initiative petition. The Tacoma City Charter requires the City Council to commence a comprehensive review of the City Charter at least once every ten years by appointing a Charter Review Committee (Section 2.25).
Charter Review Summary Handout (1992-2014) -
The current City Charter was prepared by a board of 15 freeholders elected March 11, 1952. It was submitted to and adopted by the qualified electors at a special election held November 4, 1952, and became effective June 1, 1953. The City Charter has been amended multiple times over the years.
Use the link below to download a combined file copies of City Charters dated from 1953 through 2014.
1953-2014 City Charters (ZIP file, 8.65 MB)Charter Revision History At-A-Glance
2024 2014 2004 1992 Number of Members 15 15 15 13 Number of Meetings 36* Â 62 55 12 Number of Meeting Hours 90* 93 57 41 Amendments recommended by the Charter Review Committee 24 16 23 26 Amendments forwarded to the Ballot by the City Council 6
(4 passed)12
(10 passed)11
(11 passed)15
(4 passed)* Committee of the Whole meetings only (does not include subcommittee meetings)
Below is a full list of past Charter Amendments (1950s to present):
- Amended November 4, 1958
- Amended September 15, 1970
- Amended September 18, 1973
- Amended November 6, 1979
- Amended September 16, 1980
- Amended November 8, 1983
- Amended November 3, 1992
- Amended November 2, 2004
- Amended November 4, 2014
- Amended November 5, 2024
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The Charter of the City of Tacoma has, in some instances, been superseded by the adoption of state laws subsequent to the effective date of the Charter. In this compilation, references are made to those sections of state law which supersede this Charter, setting forth the Revised Code of Washington citation and a brief statement of the effect of the law.
Footnote references to the Charter as contained herein, such as, “see TMC Chapter 1.02,” refer to the Official Code of the City of Tacoma duly adopted pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington and ordinances of the City of Tacoma.
Send questions or comments about the information on this page to City Clerk’s Office.