The Manitou Area is anticipated to annex from unincorporated Pierce County to the City of Tacoma on April 1, 2024.
What area is affected and what does this mean?
The Manitou Annexation Area is a 37-acre unincorporated Pierce County area located on the southwest corner of the city, near Lakewood Drive W. and 66th Street W (see map). This small area is surrounded by the cities of Tacoma and University Place. As one of the unincorporated "islands" in Pierce County, annexation of the Manitou Area to the City of Tacoma is expected by the State Growth Management Act (GMA) and considered a high priority in regional, county and city planning policies.
The City of Tacoma and Pierce County finalized an agreement in late 2021 for the Manitou Area’s annexation to the City of Tacoma (see “Past Accomplishments (during 2021-2022)" below for links to the ILA/MOU agreement materials). On December 12, 2023 (see Remaining Timeline graphic below), the Tacoma City Council is expected to set an annexation effective date of April 1, 2024. On that date properties and businesses within the Manitou Area will be welcomed as part of the City of Tacoma!
Click the button below for important details regarding the transition and what it means for residents, property owners, business owners, and other stakeholders in the Manitou Area.
Remaining Timeline

Past Accomplishments (during 2021-2022)
ILA and MOU
In late 2021, Pierce County and the City of Tacoma entered into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA), which included a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as posted below. The ILA indicates that the County and the City are committed to making the annexation happen. The MOU is to ensure the transition of governmental services from the County to the City is carried out effectively when the annexation happens.
Additional Materials
Posted below for your information are some documents and materials associated with recent activities and efforts in the Manitou annexation during 2021-2022:
Past Accomplishments (during 2018-2019)
Initial Establishment of Zoning (September 2019)
On September 24, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 28609 concerning the Proposed Zoning for the Manitou Area, as posted below (which was later modified by Ordinance No. 28821, adopted on June 28, 2022):
Manitou Walk-About (April 2019)
Staff conducted a community meeting ("Manitou Walk-About") on April 26, 2019, to inform interested parties of the Planning Commission's review of the Manitou Proposed Zoning. The review had subsequently led to the City Council's adoption of Ordinance No. 28609.
Initiation of Annexation Planning (September-October 2018)
The City Council adopted a resolution on October 30, 2018, corresponding to the resolution adopted by the Pierce County Council on September 4, 2018, to initiate the annexation planning process and the negotiation of an interlocal agreement, pursuant to RCW 35.13.470:
Planning Commission Reviews (July 2018 - February 2019)
To formulate its recommendations on Manitou Area land use to the City Council, the Planning Commission conducted several reviews of the subject. If you are interested in the Commission's thought process, please visit the Planning Commission webpage, and find the agenda packets for the following meetings: July 18, 2018, November 7, 2018, and February 6, 2019.
Community Meetings (May and December 2018)
County and City staff conducted two early-stage, pre-annexation community meetings in 2018 to inform and engage the neighborhood and stakeholders. Posted below are some relevant documents:
Relevant Materials
Staff Contact
Wesley Rhodes, Senior Planner, Email Wesley