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Content current as of 12/02/25

Automated Enforcement Cameras

Automated enforcement is an important tool in advancing the City’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes by 2035. While redesigning roadways for lower speeds and safer conditions remains one of the most effective long-term solutions, automated enforcement provides a more immediate way to improve safety. Research shows this technology reduces average travel speeds, lowers crash rates, and encourages safer driving behaviors at locations where cameras are installed.

Background

Tacoma’s Automated Enforcement Program began in 2008, initially fully managed by the Tacoma Police Department. In 2021, program administration and financial responsibility was transitioned to the Public Works Department. The Tacoma Police Department continues to support the program administration through reviewing citations.

The City contracts with an automated enforcement vendor to provide and operate photo enforcement technology, including the cameras, software, and processing systems. The vendor also mails citations approved by enforcement personnel. The vendor supports program administration while the City retains oversight and directs revenues toward safety improvements.

Automated Enforcement Technology

Automated enforcement cameras capture photos or video of vehicles to check for traffic violations like speeding or running red lights. Tacoma’s system uses radar, which measures speed through the Doppler Effect—sending radio waves and detecting frequency changes as they bounce off moving vehicles.

When a car exceeds the speed limit, the radar triggers the camera to record, using a flash for clear images at night or in bad weather. The equipment works in all conditions and isn’t hardwired, making it flexible and easy to set up where needed.

Automated Enforcement Camera Locations

The City of Tacoma currently has nine red light cameras, four school zone speed cameras, and one speed camera.

Map showing AE camera locations in Tacoma

School Zone Cameras
  • 5500 Block of Pacific Avenue NB
  • 5501 Block of Pacific Avenue SB
  • 5100 Block of N 26th Street W
Speed Zone Cameras
  • 2990 Block of Bay Street NB
Red Light Cameras
  • 38th Street at McKinley Ave EB
  • S 56th Street South at Oakes EB
  • 56th Street at Tacoma Way SB
  • Tacoma Way at 74th Street EB
  • Tacoma Way at 74th Street SB
  • Hosmer Street at 84th Street NB
  • Pacific Avenue at 72nd Street SB
  • Pacific Avenue at 72nd Street NB
  • N Pearl Street at 26th Street

Work Underway

In 2024, the Legislature passed House Bill 2384 which broadened the authority for local jurisdictions to use automated enforcement. The bill expanded eligible camera types and locations beyond school zones and red-light intersections to now include high-crash locations, park zones, and hospital zones. It also established new statewide guidance on transparency, equity, and financial rules.

Code Update

The City is updating Chapter 11.60 of the Tacoma Municipal Code to align with new state law (RCW 46.63.220). These updates would allow Tacoma to expand the use of automated traffic safety cameras in more locations to improve public safety.

Read Our Frequently Asked Questions About the Code Update
Expansion of Camera Locations

The City is working to expand automated enforcement camera locations in alignment with recent legislative changes and best practices in traffic safety. Staff is currently developing a methodology for identifying new locations based on crash and speed data, land use, and other factors.

Automated Enforcement Task Force

To guide the expansion effort, Public Works convened an Automated Enforcement Task Force composed of community members representing a broad range of perspectives. Staff from the Office of Equity and Human Rights, Tacoma Police Department, and Public Works Department participated as well.

Over the course of six meetings, the Task Force members discussed balancing equity and effectiveness. Overall, the Task Force strongly recommended a data-driven approach to site selection and clear, consistent communication and outreach to support transparency, build trust, and educate the public on the role of automated enforcement in improving safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

When a driver commits a traffic violation in an area monitored by an automated speed camera, the camera detects it and records the event. Enforcement staff then review the photos and video to determine whether a violation occurred. They base their decision solely on the evidence captured by the camera. If they decide there was no violation, the system deletes the recording. If they confirm a violation, the system sends the record to the court to create a case. After that, a notice of violation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Pay Online via the ZeroFatality.com Portal

Novoa Global uses ZeroFatality.com for camera-violation processing. Through their Citation Review Portal, you can:

  • Review photographic evidence
  • View violation details
  • Pay your fine via credit card or ACH

You’ll need your license plate number and the unique password/PIN printed on your original citation to log in.

In Person or By Mail

Mail a check or money order (include ticket/case number) to:
Pierce County District Court
930 Tacoma Ave S, Room 239
Tacoma, WA 98402

Or pay in person at the same address during business hours.

Don’t wait! make sure to respond or pay within 30 days to avoid penalties.

Automated enforcement tickets do not count as moving violations under State law. Unlike citations issued by police officers, they won’t appear on your driving record and are not reported to insurance companies.

State law has built in safeguards for privacy and data protection. Automated enforcement camera systems are governed by RCW 46.63.220 which includes several key data privacy protections:

  • Image Restrictions: Cameras may only capture the vehicle and license plate—not faces of drivers or passengers
  • Data Use: Images and data are only for authorized city/county use, not public, and not admissible in unrelated court cases
  • Retention Limits: Data must be deleted when no longer needed for enforcement

Annual Report

A report must be published annually that includes traffic crash data and the number of citations issued. The report is updated each April or May when the Washington Department of Transportation provides the final crash data.

2024 Annual Report