In most residential areas, yes. Since February 1, 2025, Home in Tacoma has replaced single-family zoning citywide with Urban Residential zones that allow middle housing, including house-plexes (such as duplexes and triplexes), backyard buildings, courtyard housing, rowhouses, and multiplexes (City of Tacoma). What you can build depends on your lot’s zone (UR-1, UR-2, or UR-3), its size, and the development standards for height, setbacks, and building size.
What housing types does Home in Tacoma allow?
Home in Tacoma allows five middle housing types: house-plex, backyard building, courtyard housing, rowhouses, and multiplex (City of Tacoma). Each type has standards for building placement, orientation, size, entries, and pedestrian and vehicle access.
The reform brings Tacoma into compliance with Washington’s middle housing law, House Bill 1110, which requires cities to allow more units per lot in former single-family neighborhoods.
What are UR-1, UR-2, and UR-3 zones?
UR-1 and UR-2 are low-scale Urban Residential zones, and UR-3 is a mid-scale zone (City of Tacoma). Scale and density increase closer to schools, parks, and business districts.
Find your lot’s zone on the city’s TacomaMap (tMap) before planning a design, because the zone sets the allowed housing types, height, and building size.
Are there bonuses for affordable or owner-occupied units?
Yes. Projects that include units affordable to households earning 60% to 80% of Pierce County family median income for rentals, or up to 100% for ownership, can receive bonuses for density, building size, height, parking reductions, reduced setbacks, and a multifamily tax exemption (City of Tacoma).
Separate ownership incentives apply to projects that create homes for owner-occupants earning up to 150% of Pierce County family median income, including a 35-foot rear-yard height limit in UR-1 and UR-2.
Is middle housing actually being built in Tacoma?
Yes. From February 2025 to January 2026, Tacoma received 213 permit applications for 385 proposed units in the new zones, a 39% increase in applications and 62% increase in proposed units compared with the previous five-year average (City of Tacoma). In Q2 2026 alone, there were 148 applications for 332 units, the strongest quarter yet.
Townhomes, duplexes, and multifamily projects generated the highest number of units, even though single-family homes and ADUs were still the most common application types.
What does it take to build a duplex or triplex?
You need a design that fits your zone’s standards, engineering as required, a building permit, utility connections for each unit, and compliance with the 2021 Washington State Energy Code (Washington State Building Code Council). Site work, separate meters, and fire separation between units add cost compared with a single house.
A feasibility review before design tells you what the lot can hold and roughly what it will cost. For permit timing, see How Long Does a Design and Construction Project Take in Tacoma, WA? and When Can My Construction or Remodeling Project Start?.
Middle housing types compared
| Housing type | What it is | Typical owner goal |
| House-plex | Two or more units in one house-scale building (duplex, triplex) | Rental income or multi-generational living |
| Backyard building | A detached unit behind the main house | Add a rental or family unit |
| Courtyard housing | Units arranged around a shared courtyard | Small development on a larger lot |
| Rowhouses | Attached homes side by side, each with its own entry | Units for sale through unit lot subdivision |
| Multiplex | A larger building with several units | Investment property in UR-3 areas |
Ready to see what your lot can hold?
Transparent Construction LLC builds new construction and small-scale multi-family projects through our Commercial Remodeling and Custom Homes services. Our Pre-Construction Consulting can map out feasibility and budget before you commit. We serve Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and Bonney Lake.
Contact Transparent Construction LLC or call 253-339-6117 to schedule a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build a duplex on a single-family lot in Tacoma?
In most residential areas, yes. Home in Tacoma replaced single-family zoning with Urban Residential zones that allow house-plexes such as duplexes, subject to each zone’s standards.
How many units can I build on my lot in Tacoma?
It depends on your lot’s zone, size, and development standards. Check your zone on TacomaMap and confirm with Tacoma Planning and Development Services.
Can I sell the units separately?
Home in Tacoma allows unit lot subdivisions in Urban Residential zones, which can create separate lots for individual units.
Do I need parking for each unit?
Parking requirements vary by zone and can be reduced through affordability bonuses or tree retention flexibilities. Check the city’s parking summary for your zone.
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