Side sewer permits and fees in Tacoma, Puyallup and Pierce County

Tacoma

Tacoma requires a City permit for work on your own private plumbing or side sewer. Work in the City right-of-way needs a licensed and bonded contractor certified to work in Tacoma. (City of Tacoma)

• Tacoma's 2026 fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, lists a $130 sanitary sewer connection permit issuance fee, $400 to repair a house sewer to the City main or to a septic tank, and $110 more if the contractor repairs the street. (City of Tacoma, read Oct 18, 2026)
• Other plumbing work at a house or duplex is 2.81% of construction value, with a $190 minimum. A plumbing e-permit is $140 and is nonrefundable once issued. (City of Tacoma, read Oct 18, 2026)

For who may do which part of the repair, see Tacoma side sewer repair.

Puyallup

• The City's responsibility ends at your property line. (City of Puyallup)
• City standards call for a cleanout at the property line or easement line. (Puyallup standards)
• For a sewer repair, the City charges both a $170 on-site inspection fee and a $30 on-site repair fee. A sewer camera inspection is $93 an hour with a two-hour minimum. (City of Puyallup, read Oct 18, 2026)

Pierce County sewer customers

These rules cover homes on Pierce County's own sewer system. Cities such as Tacoma and Puyallup run their own.

• You own your side sewer and maintain it from the building to the main. The County maintains the main, tees included. (Pierce County)
• Any repair, change, disconnection or inspection of a building sewer needs a County sewer permit. (PCC 13.04.055)
• All work must be done by a Pierce County Registered Sewer Contractor. Emergency repair permits are issued right away online. (Pierce County)

Questions for the plumber

1. Who runs the sewer main for my address: Tacoma, Puyallup or Pierce County?
2. Which permit will you pull, and is the fee in your quote?
3. Does the work reach the street, and are you bonded and certified to work there?
4. In Pierce County: are you a Registered Sewer Contractor?
5. What is your contractor number? I will check it on L&I Verify.

Next

Read how to hire an emergency plumber in Tacoma or browse plumbers in Puyallup.