What is my property zoned?
Zoning Map

What can I build/develop on my piece of property?
For major development of a lot, it is recommended that you schedule a DRC meeting. Visit the DRC page for instructions and meeting request form. What you are able to build on your property depends on the intended Use. First determine how your property is zoned. To do this, refer to the City of Fife Zoning Map and to Title 19 of the Fife Municipal Code, to determine if your use is allowed in that zone. Visit DRC Page.

Is my permit ready?
Permits are reviewed on a first come, first served basis. If the applicant fails to provide a complete application, the permit can not be reviewed until all necessary information is received. Permit Coordinators will make sure the application is complete at time of application. If further information is needed for review, the applicant will be notified. As soon as the permit is reviewed and approved by staff it is given to the permit coordinators, who will contact you. If there are any additional fees that need to be paid, the permit coordinators will notify you at this time.

How can I schedule an inspection?
Inspections are scheduled every weekday, in 15-minute increments, on M-Tu-Th-F from 8:00 to 3:45, and on Wed from 10:30 to 3:45. To schedule an inspection call (253) 922-9624 by 4:00 PM the weekday prior to your preferred inspection date.

What is my parcel number?
A parcel number is the most useful item on a permit application. Therefore it is extremely helpful when you can supply it to the permit coordinators on your permit application. To find your parcel number, follow this link to the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer website. Here you can enter a house number and street to find your parcel number. Make sure the parcel type is a “real” parcel and the parcel status is “active”. Also, by clicking on your parcel number you can find all sorts of handy information such as: building and land value, maps of your property, sale history, building history, and even view and pay your property taxes.

What do I need a building permit for?
There are a lot of reasons to apply for and acquire a building permit. A building permit ensures:

• The contractors are registered licensed and insured
• Adequate documentation is prepared to construct your building or extension/alteration
• Review of building plans and structural calculations occurs
• Key stages of the work are inspected
• Your building is assessed as suitable for occupation

Section 105.1 of the 2009 International Building Code regarding required permits reads; “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”

A list of exceptions from the International Building and International Residential Codes can be found here.

Roadway  FAQ

Why is 54th Avenue closed at the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks?

In the mid 1990’s, the UPRR planned to expand operations of their Fife switchyard by building a second track eastward from its yard and across 54th Avenue.  The UPRR petitioned the UTC to close the crossing. The City of Fife initially fought the closure but recognized that it was likely to be approved, so Fife changed its position to seek mitigation for the closure. The UTC approved the closure subject to a number of conditions, including the UPRR’s provision of acreage adjacent to the closed crossing for municipal park use. 

The City of Fife entered into an interlocal agreement with the Fife School Board for joint development of a Junior High School and a municipal park.  In the development of Columbia Junior High School, the School District in 2001 petitioned the Fife City Council to restrict general public access to the crossing for related school safety reasons.  At the same time, the UPRR said that the project priority had changed and that the expansion was no longer immediately planned.

In November 2001, the Fife City Council voted to close the crossing to general public access until such time as a safer crossing could be built, such as a grade separation.  After the school was built, the crossing was closed to general public access in August 2003.

54th Avenue East at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks has not been vacated.  The at-grade railroad crossing of 54th Avenue East and the UPRR has been closed to routine public traffic, but the railroad crossing is open to emergency vehicles.  The City of Fife has the construction of a grade separated crossing in its Comprehensive Plan, but neither the design nor construction of that grade separation is currently funded.

Engineering/Drainage FAQ

Who Maintains the Levee?

The maintenance division of Pierce County Water Programs maintains the levee, the City of Fife maintains the asphalt replacement portion only.

Why do we pay separate Drainage District and City drainage utility fees?

Drainage District 21 and 23 remain responsible for the ownership and maintenance of main drainage ditches in and around the City of Fife.  The City’s utility is responsible for water quality issues, and for the ownership, maintenance, and improvement of branch drainage lines.  The City of Fife has an inter local agreement with Drainage District 21, under which the City provides services to the District; charges for those services are billed to the District and the District Commissioners review each bill before it is paid.

Water FAQ

Where does the drinking water come from?

 Approximately 5% of the City’s drinking water comes from City operated Well #5. The remaining 95% is water we purchase from Tacoma Water. The purchased  water is mainly from the Green River.

What is the water pressure?

The static water pressure, the pressure when not flowing, is approximately 90 psi (pounds per square inch). This pressure is fairly high and should normally be reduced for home use by installing a pressure reducer on the customer water line. Typical home use water pressure is usually between 40 to 60 psi.

Does my water have fluoride in it?

 Although the City of Fife does not add fluoride to its well water, Tacoma Water does add fluoride to its water, at approximately 1 mg/L (milligram/Liter) dosage. Since 95% of the water we supply our customers is purchased from Tacoma Water, with very few exceptions the water our customers receive does contain fluoride.

How can I tell if I have a water leak?

 If you suspect you may have a leak, you can contact the City of Fife’s Water Division at (253) 922-9315 and we will be happy to send someone by to assist you in determining if you do, at no cost. You may also check yourself by looking at your water meter. All the water meters utilized by the City of Fife have a built in leak detection indicator on the face of the meter register. Simply make sure that no water is being used at the time in your home or business, and then look at the meter register. If the leak detector, usually a small black triangle or a small red dial, is moving then water is running somewhere and there is probably a leak. About 90% of all leaks are toilets. If you suspect your toilet could be leaking, try adding food coloring to the tank, if it shows up in the toilet bowl after a few minutes without flushing, it is leaking. If your meter leak detector is turning you can also turn off the water supply line shutoff valve to your toilet and recheck your meter. If it stops turning the toilet is probably the source of the leak.

Sewer FAQ

Where does Fife’s sewage go and how does it get there?

The sewage goes to City of Tacoma’s treatment plant through a sewer pipe line.

How do you know when there is a leak in the sewer line?

A regular T.V. inspection which checks the lines for leaks using video.