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Content current as of 04/27/26

Home In Tacoma

The Home In Tacoma Zoning and Standards package is now in effect. Approved by the City Council in November 2024, Home in Tacoma expands housing options in our community. These include additional dwelling units (ADUs), rowhouses, and a broader range of housing types with updated parking and tree codes. The new zoning regulations went into effect on February 1, 2025.

Learn more about developing under Home in Tacoma updated regulations through the resources and information below.

Contact

(253) 591-5030

Tacoma Municipal Building 
747 Market Street, Third Floor
Tacoma, WA 98402

Resources and Information

The “Home in Tacoma – Year in Review” report provides a high-level overview of Home in Tacoma during its first year of activation (February 2025-January 2026). It aims to answer the following questions:

  • What changes in applications are we seeing as a result of the zoning changes?
  • Did zoning reform change what is being built?
  • Where is new development happening in Tacoma?

What is Home in Tacoma?

Home in Tacoma is a citywide zoning reform package designed to increase housing supply, affordability, and choice. It replaces former single‑family zoning with new Urban Residential zones that allow a broader range of housing types, including townhomes, duplexes, multiplexes, and multifamily homes.

Why did the City adopt Home in Tacoma?

Tacoma faces significant housing affordability and supply challenges. This policy aims to create a more flexible and inclusive housing framework that supports population growth and improves equitable access to housing.

How much development activity occurred in the first year of Home in Tacoma within newly designated middle housing areas?

In the first year since implementation of the updated framework (February 2025–January 2026), permit activity within the new Urban Residential zones included:

  • 213 total permit applications
  • 385 housing units proposed
  • 39% increase in applications (compared to the previous five‑year average)
  • 62% increase in total proposed units (compared to the previous five‑year average)
  • 16% increase in units per application (compared to the previous five‑year average)

Are most projects completed?

No. About 92% of applications are still in progress, which is expected because permitting and construction take time. About 8% of permits resulted in completed housing units during year one.

Did zoning reform change what types of homes are being built?

Yes. Permitting shows that:

  • Single‑family homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) remain the most common applications, though single-family home applications were at their lowest in six years.
  • Townhomes, duplexes, and multifamily projects generated the highest number of units.
  • Data shows significant diversification in housing types citywide.

Where in Tacoma is new development occurring?

Applications from year one are distributed across the city:

  • Highest permit volumes: North End (~21%) and Eastside (~20%)
  • Highest housing density: Eastside (25% of units), West End (21%), South End (18%)
  • Lowest activity: New Tacoma and Northeast

Why should the year-one data be interpreted cautiously?

The data reflects only one year — the first year after a major zoning reform. There is a long development pipeline, and many more projects will be completed in the coming years. Additionally, both economic factors and construction costs likely influenced development behavior in 2025–26.

What are the main takeaways from the first year of Home in Tacoma?

We know that:

  • Permit applications and total units increased significantly.
  • Diversity of housing types improved, especially for higher‑density homes.
  • Permit activity is broadly distributed across Tacoma.

What is the City doing next to support Home in Tacoma?

The City is:

  • Improving data tracking systems on supply, choice, and affordability.
  • Increasing community education and awareness of zoning changes.
  • Expecting continued growth in applications and completed projects.

Potential applicants are encouraged to review the Tacoma Permits website and contact staff to clarify any project-specific questions. Visit www.TacomaPermits.org for more information.

  • Preapproved Detached Accessory Dwelling Units
    • Planning and Development Services offers pre-approved detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) plans for use within the City of Tacoma jurisdiction. There are four base models, designed to fit adopted Home In Tacoma zoning standards, with different roof types, siding styles, and ground floor dwellings meeting visitability design standards.
    • Solid Waste Manual
      • The Solid Waste Management Guide is a resource for architects, designers and developers in the design, development, and implementation of waste-related spaces in all contexts, from single-family residences and duplexes to apartment buildings and brick and mortar commercial spaces. This guide includes Home In Tacoma development and design standards, including walkability, preservation of neighborhood identity, and an engaging public realm.
      • Solid Waste Management Guidelines
    • Urban Forest Manual
      • The Urban Forest Manual (UFM) is a technical guide created to facilitate the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping that is required for new development and redevelopment per the Tacoma Municipal Code, Title 13.06.090.B, Landscaping Standards.

Home in Tacoma and the Affordable Housing Action Strategy

The Home in Tacoma initiative that began in 2019 is directly linked to the City’s Affordable Housing Action Strategy (AHAS). The legislative package of amended zoning and standards approved by the City Council in November 2024 is most closely linked to AHAS Objective 1: The creation of new affordable housing. Learn more about the full Affordable Housing Action Strategy and other initiatives and efforts by the City to address the affordable housing gap in Tacoma on the Affordable Housing Action Strategy web page.

Many communities, including Tacoma, are working on addressing housing challenges now. Here are resources to inform Tacoma’s efforts.

Contact

(253) 591-5030

Tacoma Municipal Building 
747 Market Street, Third Floor
Tacoma, WA 98402