The City of Tacoma is inviting community members to help shape the future of local land use by participating in the review process for the 2026 amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code.
A Planning Commission public hearing will take place on March 4 at 6 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., 1st Floor, Council Chambers) and virtually on Zoom. Written comments must be received by no later than March 6 at 5 p.m. and can be emailed to planning@tacoma.gov or mailed to Planning Commission, 747 Market St. Room 345, Tacoma, WA 98402. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback on proposed updates to expand housing inclusivity, streamline development processes, and align local codes with recent state legislation.
Ahead of the hearing, the Planning and Development Services Department will host a virtual Community Informational Meeting on February 26 at 6 p.m. to help community members navigate the proposals and learn how to comment effectively. Those interested in attending can do so here.
The 2026 amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code represent a proactive effort to update Tacoma’s regulatory framework to better serve the community’s evolving needs. Key proposals include:
- Expanding Special Needs Housing: In response to the growing demand for diverse housing options, the City is updating zoning standards for “Special Needs Housing” to include streamlining regulations for emergency shelters and Enhanced Service Facilities for compliance with state requirements. This work also aims to make critical housing resources—such as assisted living and behavioral health care—accessible across the city.
- Supporting Families and Development:
Day Care Facilities:Â To increase access to childcare, the proposal removes the requirement for a conditional use permit and enrollment caps for day care facilities in Urban Residential zones (UR-1, UR-2, and UR-3).
Binding Site Plans:Â To encourage development flexibility, the City is proposing the use of binding site plans for multi-dwelling residential subdivisions, extending permit expiration from five to 10 years.
- Proactive Planning for McKinley Avenue: The Commission is considering “Low-Scale Residential” designations and “Urban Residential-1” (UR-1) zoning for four parcels along the 8600–8800 blocks of McKinley Avenue East. With this pre-annexation planning, if these properties are annexed into Tacoma, they will have immediate access to clear guidance for compatible use and development.
- Minor Plan and Code Amendments:Â This includes cleanup efforts to correct inconsistencies and clarify language within the Tacoma Municipal Code, to make regulations easy to understand and administer.
Draft documents, maps, and detailed FAQs are available for review at tacoma.gov/codeamendments. Community members requiring information in alternate formats can email planning@tacoma.gov.