
Pierce County
Developer Information
Plans & Polices
The following plans at Pierce County guide housing development in the City.
- Comprehensive Plan, including subarea plans
- To stay informed about the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Update, please subscribe here to receive email alerts when additional information becomes available.
- Housing Action Strategy
- 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan
Development Incentives
Pierce County provides the following incentives for affordable housing:
- PCC 18A.65.040: Fee waivers, including impact fee waivers, for affordable housing
- PCC 18A.65.050: Density bonus for affordable housing
Pierce County provides these other incentives for development:
- PCC 18A.15.020(E): Density incentives and credits
- PCC 18A.35.040-1: Decreased parking minimum for urban infill
- PCC 18A.15.050: Alternative standards for urban infill
- PCC 18J.15.060: Additional alternative standards for urban infill
- Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE)
- For area-wide SEPA information and planned actions, contact Erika Rhett Hunt at erika.rhett@piercecountywa.gov
For LIHTC developers:
- The following census tracts in Pierce County are defined by HUD as Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) in 2024: 715.04, 717.04, 717.06, 729.01, 729.07, 729.08
- The following ZCTAs in Pierce County are defined by HUD as Small Difficult Development Areas (DDAs) in 2024: 98332, 98360, 98391, 98374, 98375
Permitting
Development regulations | Title 18A Development Regulations – Zoning Title 18F Development Regulations – Land Divisions and Boundary Changes Title 17A Construction and Infrastructure Regulations – Site Development and Stormwater Drainage Title 17B Construction and Infrastructure Regulations – Road and Bridge Design and Construction Standards Title 17C Construction and Infrastructure Regulations – Building and Fire Codes |
Maps | PublicGIS |
Permitting information | Online Permits Build or Demolish Something Workflow Improvement Project |
Permitting Timelines | Development Center |
Planning and development fee schedules | PCC 2.05: Planning and Public Works and Assessor-Treasurer Development Review, Inspection and Application/Processing Fees PCC 17C.10.070: Building, Plan Review, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire Protection, and Other Fees |
Connection fee schedules | Connection Charges |
Impact fee schedules | Traffic Impact Fees PCC 4A.30.030 School Impact Fees PCC 4A.20.030 Park Impact Fees |
Utilities & Fire
Funding for Affordable Housing
Human Services in partnership with the Pierce County Community Development Corporation provides financing for the development and preservation of affordable rental housing and the development of homeownership opportunities all to benefit low-income households in Pierce County, providing for the following activities:
- Acquisition of rental and for-sale housing
- New construction of rental and for-sale housing
- Rehabilitation and preservation of rental and for-sale housing
- Ongoing operations and maintenance of rental housing
- Support for developers and buyers for for-sale housing
Sign up here to receive notifications for funding and requests for proposals: Human Services Solicitations and Competitive Bids List
For more information:
- Visit Pierce County’s website; or
- Contact Bryan Schmid at bryan.schmid@piercecountywa.gov.
Funding for Infrastructure
Surplus Land
A policy regarding surplus land for affordable housing is currently in production. For more information:
- Check updates on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update; or
- Contact Bryan Schmid at bryan.schmid@piercecountywa.gov