• City of Tacoma QA
  • City of Tacoma OpenData




Permit Status

 

Click to view Current Development Permit Statuses

 

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has applied for and received the first of several development permits with the City of Tacoma. The status of these permits can be seen and monitored by entering the permit number in the search field on Accela, the City’s online permitting system. You may also click the link above which will link directly to a report of all current and prior permits. Once the file opens, you can see the project description in the “record details” section of the page. Inspections are ongoing for all active permits at the site; however, they may not be reflected in Accela due to the way special inspections are documented. For more information please email LNGFacilityInfo@cityoftacoma.org.

 

How Are Permits Reviewed?

Most large projects, including the LNG facility, require multiple development permits from the City of Tacoma. These permits are divided into roughly three subject areas: Land Use Permits, Site Development Permits, and Building Permits. The Site permits include grading and utility work outside any building or structure, while the Building permits would include the interior utilities and mechanical systems.

 

Upon receipt, each permit is assessed for completeness, and then it is routed to each of the subject areas for review for compliance with all applicable codes. Reviewers always include a subject-matter expert from Site, Land Use, and Buildings, as well as experts in each sub-area such as Fire Protection or Water Quality.

 

Each individual permit is reviewed:

  • In light of the EIS* to ensure the work remains within the scope of the environmental review;
  • According to all applicable codes for that kind of permit to ensure that the proposal meets all local and state requirements; and
  • In the context of prior and concurrent permits to ensure the work is consistent with what has already been approved.

Generally, permits have at least one review cycle, in which the subject-matter experts require corrections or additional information from the applicant before a permit can be issued. Once a permit is issued, the work can begin. Inspections of the work are continuous until the work approved under a particular permit is completed; the facility cannot operate until all inspections are completed and a certificate of occupancy is issued. For example, for fire protection, each permit is reviewed individually for compliance with all fire codes, but the  plant cannot operate until all review of all completed work is final and approved in compliance with all applicable regulations. This is true for all subject areas.

 

The process is similar for most of the other permitting agencies. For a list of related permits and permitting agencies, see the FAQ section under “what permits are needed, and what are the permitting agencies”?

 

*The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not a substitute for permit review. The EIS was used to develop information that is currently being used to support permit review and to apply mitigation measures related to potential impacts in reference to matters such as transportation, fire, health and safety.

 

Permitting History

 

Notice of Action 

On November 19, 2015, the City of Tacoma, Department of Planning and Development Services, administratively authorized demolition activities under Tacoma Demolition Permit Numbers 40000252270, 4-252271, 4-252272, 4-252273, 4-252274, 4-252275 & 4-252276 for demolition of buildings located on upland portions of the Tacoma LNG facility site.  
 
The City mailed and published a Notice of Action related to the permit issuance.

Shoreline Permit Decision 

Posted below are the Shoreline Permit Decision for the proposed PSE Liquefied Natural Gas facility in the Tacoma Tideflats (SHR2015-40000246123), and the associated exhibits:

SHB 16-002 Shoreline Hearings Board Decision
Reconsideration Decision and Request 
Shoreline Permit Decision (November 19, 2015)
Exhibit A - JARPA
Exhibit B - Permit Narrative
Exhibit C - FEIS (links posted above)
Exhibit D - Regulations
Exhibit E - Agency Comments
Exhibit F - Public Comments



]]>