Deck Permit in Tacoma, Washington
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-06-18 · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pageIt depends
Quick answer
In Tacoma a freestanding deck that does not exceed 200 square feet and is not more than 30 inches above grade is exempt from a building permit. Any deck over 200 square feet, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the dwelling requires a permit from Planning and Development Services. Apply online through the Tacoma Accela permit portal.
Typical threshold: freestanding decks not exceeding 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt; decks over 200 sq ft, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the dwelling require a permit.
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- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building a deck over 200 square feet, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the house in Tacoma
What your deck permit must meet in Washington
A residential deck in Washington is built to the 2021 International Residential Code as adopted with state amendments (WAC 51-51, Washington State Residential Code 2021), which among other things raises the deck live load to 60 psf. The prescriptive deck rules cover guards, stairs, footings, and a positive ledger and lateral-load connection.
- Guards are required whenever the deck walking surface is more than 30 inches above the grade or floor below (R312).
- Required deck guards must be at least 36 inches high, with openings sized so a 4-inch diameter sphere cannot pass through (R312).
- Deck stairs (any flight with 4 or more risers) allow a maximum riser height of 7 3/4 inches, require a minimum tread depth of 10 inches, and a minimum stairway width of 36 inches (R311.7).
- Stairs with 4 or more risers need a handrail on at least one side, with the top 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing (R311.7.8).
- Exterior footings must be placed at least 12 inches below undisturbed ground (R403.1.4); frost-protection depth is not a single statewide number but is set by the local jurisdiction, so confirm frost depth with the local building department (R403.1.4.1).
- The deck ledger must have a positive connection to the band joist using lag screws or bolts spaced per Table R507.9.1.3, not toenails or deck screws, and the band joist must be minimum 2-inch nominal solid-sawn lumber or engineered rim board (R507.9).
- A lateral load connection is required: hold-down tension devices in at least two locations per deck, each with a capacity of not less than 1,500 pounds (R507.9.2).
Based on Washington State Residential Code 2021 (2021 IRC with WA amendments, WAC 51-51): R312, R311.7, R403.1.4, R507.9. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What deck permit costs in Tacoma
Decks bill as an addition at 2.81 percent of ICC building valuation, with uncovered wood decks valued at 67 percent of the per-square-foot BVD, per the PDS Fee Schedule effective 1/1/2025.
How Tacoma compares in Washington
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | It depends | decks where the highest walking surface is 30 inches or less above grade do not require a permit; decks over 30 inches above grade require a permit with plan review |
| Clark County | It depends | Exempt only if the deck does not exceed 200 square feet, is not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, does not serve a required exit door, and is not used for a hot tub or pool; all other decks require a permit. |
| King County | It depends | uncovered decks 30 inches or less above ground do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County; decks over 30 inches above grade require a permit |
| Pierce County | It depends | Decks not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and not over any story or basement below, are exempt; Pierce County code sets no separate floor area cap for decks; taller decks, or decks over a story or basement, require a building permit. |
| Seattle | It depends | decks more than 18 inches above grade require a permit; decks 18 inches or less above grade and not over a basement do not require a permit |
| Snohomish County | It depends | uncovered decks, deck steps, and uncovered porches for residential buildings exempt if 30 inches or less above adjacent grade at any point, not over a basement or story below, and not part of a required accessible route; covered or taller decks require a permit |
| Tacomathis page | It depends | freestanding decks not exceeding 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt; decks over 200 sq ft, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the dwelling require a permit |
Closest deck permit thresholds outside Washington
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Tacoma's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, uncovered decks with area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling and not providing required egress and not in floodplain are exempt
- Boston, Massachusetts, detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt
- Houston, Texas, deck not exceeding 200 sq ft and not more than 30 in above grade and not attached to dwelling and not serving required exit door is exempt from permit
- San Diego, California, deck over 200 sq ft or over 30 inches above grade or attached to a dwelling requires a permit
How to apply in Tacoma
A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs.
What most deck permit applications include:
- A permit application identifying the work, the deck's size (square footage), and whether electrical work such as lights or receptacles is included, submitted for plan review before construction begins (IRC R106).
- A scaled site plan (for example 1/4 inch to 1 foot) showing the new deck's location relative to the house, its overall length and width, and dimensioned distances from the deck to all property lines and other structures so required setbacks can be verified (IRC R106.1.1).
- A deck plan drawn to scale showing overall dimensions and the framing layout: joist size, spacing, span, and species; beam size and span; post size and height; and footing or pier size and depth (IRC R507.4 posts, R507.5 beams, R507.6 joists, R507.3 footings).
- A section or side elevation with connection details showing the ledger attachment to the house band joist with flashing, the fastener or bolt schedule, joist hangers, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the required lateral load connection (IRC R507.9 ledger connection, R507.9.2 lateral connection, R507.2.4 flashing).
- Footing sizing derived from tributary area, the soil bearing value, and design loads per IRC Table R507.3.1, with footings shown bearing on undisturbed soil at the frost depth required by the jurisdiction (IRC R507.3).
- Details for the guards required where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and for the stairs and handrails, showing guard height and opening limits, stair riser and tread dimensions, and handrail location (IRC R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
- For designs that fall outside the prescriptive R507 tables (for example multi-story or stacked decks, or a ledger attached to a cantilever), engineered and stamped structural plans are submitted in place of the prescriptive details (IRC R507.1 and R301).
General submittal guidance from IRC R106.1.1 (construction documents) and IRC R507 (exterior decks), 2021 IRC. Source. City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services sets the exact checklist for Tacoma.
Where to apply in Tacoma:
City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services
- 747 Market Street Third Floor, Tacoma, WA 98402
- Phone: (253) 591-5030
- Email: Permits@tacoma.gov
Inspections and closing out your permit
Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
- Footing or pier inspection: after the holes are dug and any forms or reinforcing are set but before concrete is placed, the inspector checks footing depth and diameter, a flat undisturbed bearing surface, and that the holes are free of water (IRC R109.1.1 foundation inspection; R507.3 footings).
- Framing inspection: after the deck is framed but before the decking conceals it, the inspector verifies the ledger attachment and its flashing, the fastener and bolt schedule, joist hangers and metal connectors, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the lateral load connection; call it before decking is installed (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R507.9 ledger and flashing).
- Final inspection: after the deck is complete and before it is used, the inspector confirms guard height and opening limits (a 4 inch sphere must not pass, 4 3/8 inch at stairs), stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail height and graspability where there are 4 or more risers, stair landings, and required stair lighting (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Tacoma permit portal or by phone at (253) 591-5030.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109 (inspections: R109.1.1 footing before concrete, R109.1.4 frame, R109.1.6 final), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Deck Permit checklist for Tacoma
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: freestanding decks not exceeding 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt; decks over 200 sq ft, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the dwelling require a permit. Usually needed: Before building a deck over 200 square feet, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the house in Tacoma.
- Budget the fee. Decks bill as an addition at 2.81 percent of ICC building valuation, with uncovered wood decks valued at 67 percent of the per-square-foot BVD, per the PDS Fee Schedule effective 1/1/2025. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs. Start at the Tacoma permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services. Phone: (253) 591-5030. Address: 747 Market Street Third Floor, Tacoma, WA 98402.
- Plan for inspections. Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 2026-06-18.
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Permitting activity in Tacoma
In 2024, Tacoma authorized permits for 402 new residential housing units (137 single-family, 265 in multi-family buildings), valued at $99M, down from692 the year before. That works out to about 1.8 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 219,945.
About Tacoma
Tacoma has about 96,151 housing units. The median home is valued at $454,600, against a median household income of $83,857. About 56% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1967.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Tacoma?
- In Tacoma a freestanding deck that does not exceed 200 square feet and is not more than 30 inches above grade is exempt from a building permit. Any deck over 200 square feet, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the dwelling requires a permit from Planning and Development Services. Apply online through the Tacoma Accela permit portal. Freestanding decks not exceeding 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt; decks over 200 sq ft, over 30 inches above grade, or attached to the dwelling require a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Tacoma?
- Decks bill as an addition at 2.81 percent of ICC building valuation, with uncovered wood decks valued at 67 percent of the per-square-foot BVD, per the PDS Fee Schedule effective 1/1/2025. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Tacoma?
- You can apply through the Tacoma permit portal or contact the City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services directly. The links are listed on this page.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Tacoma
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No Planning and Development Services fee; |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences 7 feet or under in height do not require a building permit; fences over 7 feet require a permit | Only fences over 7 feet or masonry walls over 4 feet need a building permit, priced fro... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Standalone HVAC and mechanical permits run 2.81 percent of construction value with a $1... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | at-grade flatwork such as sidewalks and driveways is exempt from a building permit, though separate site-development permits can apply; covered patios require a building permit | Patio covers bill as an addition at 2.81 percent of ICC building valuation, per the PDS... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Standalone plumbing permits run 2.81 percent of construction value with a $180 minimum... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5000 gallons are exempt; all other pools require a building permit | Pools 24 inches deep or more need a permit priced from $55 for the first $500 of valuat... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | removing and replacing existing roof coverings with the same type does not require a permit; adding a layer or changing roofing materials requires a permit and pre-roof inspection | Reroofs outside the tear-off exemption bill as a remodel at 2.81 percent of ICC buildin... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | one-story detached accessory structures with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit | Sheds 200 square feet or larger need a permit priced from $55 for the first $500 of val... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Solar panel installation bills as a remodel at 2.81 percent of ICC building valuation w... |
Deck Permit in other Washington localities
Official sources
- https://www.tacomapermits.org/tip-sheet-index/what-requires-a-permit
- https://www.tacomapermits.org/getting-started/faqs
- https://www.grafton-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17797/2021-IRC-Residential-Deck-Guide
- https://www.spearfish.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5233/Residential-Deck-handout-PDF
- https://www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/apps-forms/Deck%20Handout-final.pdf
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-06-18, not confirmed with City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-06-18Report an error on this page
Compare Deck Permit requirements across Washington localities
Washington rule changes
- Bellevue, WA sets a flat $290 re-roof permit fee (Ordinance 6879)
Ord. 6879 · 2026-07-25