Historic Preservation Code Update

1. What are the Historic Preservation Codes?
The Tacoma Municipal Code has several areas that pertain to the historic preservation program. These describe the powers and duties of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the scope of the historic preservation program, financial incentives, the process for putting properties on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places (known as City Landmarks), the creation of local historic districts, and the design review process. The only sections being reviewed in this update include:

• Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC) 1.42: Landmarks Preservation Commission, Historic Preservation Officer and financial incentives
• TMC 13.02: Planning Commission, specifically language relating to the review of historic special review district overlay zones (usually called local historic districts for short)
• TMC 13.05: Land use permit procedures, including the design review process for City Landmarks and Historic Districts
• TMC 13.07: Landmarks and Historic Districts, including the nomination process and criteria
• TMC 13.12: Environmental code, specifically cultural resource review and demolition review requirements

2. Can I request additional areas of the Historic Preservation Code and/or Program be reviewed?
Not at this time. The current code review is limited in scope.

3. Why are the Historic Preservation Codes being updated?
The City recently updated its Comprehensive Plan, including the Historic Preservation policies and goals. The code amendment will implement the policy changes in the updated plan, as well as respond to direction from City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission over the past several years including:

• In 2023, the City Council, in response to feedback from the Landmarks Commission and Planning Commission regarding issues with the process for creating local historic districts, established a moratorium on the creation of new districts until November 5, 2025. The amendments will clarify the respective roles of the Planning and Landmarks Commissions in the historic district review process, align the review process with other City goals and policies including housing, equity and sustainability, and reduce barriers.
• Improve access to historic preservation through the use of improved incentives, especially for underserved areas.
• Incorporate new requirements resulting from recent state legislation, including Substitute House Bill 1576, which placed certain limitations on local historic preservation programs.
• Improve review of projects for potential cultural and archaeological resources.

4. What is the timeline for the historic preservation code amendments?
The City is working to adopt code amendments by Fall 2025.

5. What regulatory changes are anticipated?
The City anticipates changes to the process and criteria for creation of local historic districts, improvement of cultural resource protections, broader access to the Special Tax Valuation tool (a property tax incentive that temporarily reduces property assessed value for historic buildings that have been renovated), changes to demolition review requirements, and the potential creation of a commemorative (non-regulatory) sites register.

Regulatory Changes Proposed

Affected code sections — TMC 13.05 AND 13.07– Pertaining to Historic District nomination process:

• The historic district adoption is now explicitly identified as a zoning amendment
• The review process is sequential, starting with the Landmarks Commission, then Planning Commission, and finally City Council
• The Landmarks Commission evaluates historic significance criteria, while the planning commission reviews land use combability and consistency with the comprehensive plan
• The appeals process has been removed; all proposals go directly to City Council following Planning Commission review
• The process will now follow the planning commissions workplan and schedule
• Revised eligibility criteria aim to include underrepresented communities and historical themes
• Nomination narratives should include social demographic and indigenous histories, where relevant
• New tools are introduced to help the Landmarks Commission assess proposals, including guidance on repeat submittals

Affected code section — TMC 13.07– Pertaining to individual landmark nomination process:

• The minimum age for eligibility is lowered from 50 to 40 years
• New eligibility criteria recognize culturally significant events, individuals, and themes that are underrepresented on the historic register
• Owner consent is required for properties under 125 years old, consistent with state law
• The overall review process has been streamlined and clarified

Affected code sections — TMC 13.05 AND 13.07– Pertaining to historic design review requirements:

• Religious properties are exempt from design review, in alignment with state land use law
• Ordinary maintenance and repairs do not require design review
• Changes to windows and cladding on non-prominent facades or parcels are exempt to review (as defined in TMC 13.01)
• Submittal requirements are updated, removing outdated language (no longer requiring hardcopy applications)

Pertaining to the Community Heritage Register:

• A new, non-regulatory register recognizing places of community significance
• Properties must be at least 25 years old
• The Community Heritage Register is intended for places that don’t meet the criteria for the Tacoma Register of Historic Places
• No regulatory protections or design review will apply
• Nominations will be adopted by City Council resolution

Pertaining to the Special Tax Valuation incentive:

• This incentive reduces a property’s taxable value by the amount spent on rehabilitation, for 10 years
• Currently, only properties on the Tacoma Register or within local historic districts qualify
• The proposed change would extend eligibility to properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Affected code section — TMC 13.12.570– Pertaining to the demolition review process:

• For properties under 125 years old, compulsory review for historic listing has been removed, aligning with state law (the Landmarks Commission cannot override owner objections)
• The process has been shortened and simplified, including removing a step that involved a City Council committee
• Professional consultant reports will no longer be required for many applications, reducing compliance costs
• Additional guidance on mitigation measures has been included

6. How will these changes affect my property/development?
The code amendments may reduce some of the design review requirements for properties within local historic districts and make incentives more broadly available. The historic nomination process will be simplified, as will the demolition review process. For properties in archaeologically sensitive areas, there may be additional review required if encountering archaeological materials is anticipated. For properties already listed on the historic register, requirements will likely be unchanged.

For most properties proposed for listing on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places, owner consent will be required to complete the process (consent is presently not required by code).

7. How do I find historic properties and historic districts?
Go to www.tacoma.gov/historicpreservation, and click on Tacoma’s Historic District & Landmarks. This will take you to a page where you can view a list or go to www.tacomapermits.org and click on “Explore Maps” to find interactive maps.

8. Where can I find more information about historic preservation in Tacoma?
Visit www.tacoma.gov/historicpreservation, and click on Tacoma’s Historic District & Landmarks. Toward the bottom of the page there is an FAQs section.

9. How can I participate in this code update and provide comments?
The City conducted citywide public outreach during the Comprehensive Plan update process and will be meeting with various stakeholders June through August 2025, including planned community sessions during the month of July.

Comments from the public on the draft amendments may be given for the City Council Public Hearing on October 7, 2025. The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format at approximately 5:15pm. To attend in person, the meeting will be held at the Tacoma Municipal Building in the Council Chambers, located at 747 Market Street, on the first floor. To attend remotely, join through Zoom at www.zoom.us/j/84834233126 or dial 253-215-8782 and enter the meeting ID 848 3423 3126 and passcode 349099 when prompted. Council meetings are also available to watch live on TV Tacoma.
Oral comment will be taken during the City Council meeting. Those wishing to submit written comment may do so by email to the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@tacoma.gov or by mail at 747 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, by 5 p.m., on Monday, October 6, 2025. Written comments will be compiled, sent to the City Council, and posted online.

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Email: landmarks@tacoma.gov