Middle Housing Streamlined Permitting
The Middle Housing Streamlined Permitting Program is a new City initiative designed to make it faster and easier to permit small- to mid-scale housing projects. Tacoma is experiencing strong housing demand, rising costs, and limited supply. Middle housing—such as townhomes and small multi-unit buildings—can help fill this gap while blending into existing neighborhoods. The permitting process for larger projects has higher associated costs and time, this program focuses on improving predictability and efficiency for a subset of medium sized developments.
The program offers clear benefits for eligible applicants, including reduced review timelines, consolidated permit authority, dedicated review teams, a single point of contact, free pre-development meetings, and improved pre-submittal checklists. Eligible projects include developments of up to 20 units on smaller sites and certain townhome projects using unit lot subdivision. The City is also improving how it communicates with applicants by updating its permitting platform, clarifying requirements, and strengthening coordination and accountability during permit review. Together, these changes aim to reduce time, risk, and carrying costs—key factors that influence housing affordability.
Launching in January 2026 and running through January 2027, the pilot program is intended for developers and builders, as well as community members interested in expanding housing choices in Tacoma. While standard permit and plan review fees will still apply, free pre-development meetings and a more streamlined process are expected to lower overall project costs. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing by reviewing eligibility and scheduling pre-development meetings, while community members are invited to stay informed, ask questions, and share feedback as the program moves forward.
Timeline
- January 2026 Launch
- February to June – Surveys/feedback loop for internal and external customers
- June – Mid-Year Performance Report
- End of 2026 – One-Year Performance Report
Program Goals
- Innovating for Speed: We are fast-tracking review for eligible middle-housing projects—specifically those with 7 to 20 units or townhome subdivisions of 10 to 20 homes. These projects represent the “missing middle” central to Home in Tacoma, bridging the gap between single-family homes and large multifamily developments.
- Expanding a Successful Model: To ensure efficiency, we are applying the successful framework currently used for smaller residential projects to this new tier of housing. This includes consolidating permitting authority within Planning & Development Services and utilizing a dedicated staff review team to streamline decision-making.
- Proactive Coordination & Clarity: We are maintaining our commitment to speaking with a unified voice. Our dedicated team will proactively identify complex code intersections—such as where right-of-way improvements meet site amenities—and address them collaboratively. This ensures that every applicant continues to receive clear, synthesized direction that moves their project forward.
- Quality Applications: We are strengthening submittal quality upfront to eliminate time-consuming back-and-forth. The pilot includes free pre-application meetings and a mandatory pre-submittal checklist to ensure applications are “intake ready” from day one.
- Dedicated Partnership: We are reinforcing our strong relationships with permitting customers by ensuring continuity. A dedicated project coordinator and review team will partner with the applicant from initial feasibility through permit issuance, providing a single point of contact and consistent support throughout the project’s lifecycle.
- Pre-Approved Townhouse Plans: The City is currently investing in the creation of ready-to-use building plans, with a target release by the end of 2026. By providing these pre-vetted designs, we aim to significantly reduce design and engineering costs for developers and drastically shorten permitting review times.
- Data-Driven Accountability: New process tracking enhancements allow us to measure every review phase. We will use this data to identify exactly where applicants face challenges and which improvements yield the best results, guiding the long-term modernization of our permitting system.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This is important because Tacoma needs more housing options, and long permitting timelines often add cost and uncertainty. Streamlining the permitting process supports more predictable, timely housing delivery.
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Program goals include reduced review timelines, consolidated permit authority, dedicated review teams, single point of contact, free pre-development meetings, and pre-submittal checklists.
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Eligible projects include structures with 20 units on a site that is 12,000 sq ft or smaller and townhouse proposals with 10-20 units utilizing unit lot subdivision. Steps include a free pre-development meeting to determine eligibility, completing a pre-submittal checklist as part of an initial permit application and taking part in an updated permit review process.
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This program will launch January 2026 and will be available until January 2027.
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The City is consolidating authority, using a dedicated review team, updating the Accela permitting platform to more clearly communicate information to applicants, creating clearer checklists, and improving communication and review coordination. Projects will have a target goal of two review cycles with enhanced review by Planning and Development Services management when a project is not approved after the second review cycle.
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Tacoma faces strong housing demand, rising costs, and limited supply. Middle housing types offer more attainable options and fit well into existing neighborhoods.
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Standard plan review and permit fees still apply. Pre‑development meetings will be free starting January 2026 for eligible projects. Faster permitting process may reduce overall project costs for applicants.
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The program reduces time, risk, and carrying costs—key drivers of affordability. Faster permitting supports creation of townhomes and a different variety of middle housing projects that naturally cost less than large multifamily buildings.
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Developers and builders of projects with structures with 7 to 20‑units, townhome builders planning 10 to 20 units utilizing unit lot subdivision, and community members interested in more diverse housing options.
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Applicants, design teams, City review staff, neighborhoods, existing and future residents, and City leadership.
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Applicants should prepare to schedule pre‑development meetings and confirm project eligibility. Community members can stay informed and provide feedback.