The Planning Commission, at its July 1 meeting, released proposed changes to the City’s off-street parking regulations for public review and comment. Community members are invited to share their feedback at a public hearing on August 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., 1st Floor, Council Chambers), on Zoom, or by calling (253) 215-8782 and entering the meeting ID: 844 1662 4153.
The draft changes are, in large part, a response to recent state legislature action that adopted several bills limiting the ability of cities to mandate off-street parking requirements. They aim to align the current code with the new state legislation and promote community goals related to housing affordability, multimodal transportation, redevelopment of surface parking lots, and allowing property owners greater flexibility in determining how much parking to provide.
The draft changes do not address on-street parking regulations.
Consistent with earlier Planning Commission direction, the draft changes propose removing off-street parking minimums citywide and providing more flexibility for property owners. At the same time, the draft changes do not prohibit parking or introduce any parking maximums. If parking is provided, the existing rules related to design, landscaping, and development of parking areas will continue to apply.
The draft changes also address accessibility requirements for parking. Consistent with Planning Commission direction, the proposal removes parking accessibility requirements from the zoning code and relies on applicable state building code requirements and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to regulate accessible parking where parking is provided.
In general, community feedback received thus far has prioritized the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, the creation of more green space, and the development of walkable neighborhoods.
Details on how to participate in the hearing and submit comments on the draft changes will be available at tacoma.gov/parkingcodeupdate. The public comment period ends on August 7, 2026. After the public comment period ends, staff will present the Planning Commission with a summary of public input and recommendations for a proposal to the City Council.