On August 20, 2025, no earlier than 5:30 p.m., the Tacoma Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Update to Tacoma Municipal Code Title 13.11. The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format with in-person (Tacoma Municipal Building Council Chambers, 747 Market St., 1st Floor) and virtual [on Zoom or by calling (253) 215-8782 and entering the meeting ID: 844 1662 4153] options to attend.
On August 7, 2025, at 6 p.m., community members are also invited to a virtual informational meeting to learn more about the proposed code updates and how to provide comments during the Planning Commission public hearing comment period. Community members can attend on Zoom or by calling (253) 215-8782 and entering meeting ID: 850 4843 8072.
Community members may submit written comments to the Planning Department at planning@tacoma.gov or the Tacoma Planning Commission, 747 Market Street, Room 345, Tacoma, WA 98402 by 5 p.m. on August 22, 2025. The Planning Commission will use the input received during the public comment period to finalize its recommendations to the City Council.
Critical Areas are defined by state law and include wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, geologically hazardous areas and flood hazard areas. The state requires all cities and counties to periodically review and update their Critical Areas ordinances to ensure that the regulations comply with updated state and federal policies and are based on best available science.
Details regarding the Critical Areas Ordinance and proposed code amendments to the Tacoma Municipal Code are available at tacomapermits.org/natural-resources-program.
Community members with questions can contact Principal Regulatory Compliance Analyst Lisa Spadoni at lspadoni@tacoma.gov or (253) 377-3310.