Need an electrician in Tacoma, WA? Call (253) 555-0100. Electrician Federal Way connects Tacoma homeowners, landlords, HOAs and businesses with licensed, L&I certified local electricians. We get the most Tacoma calls from Northeast Tacoma, Browns Point and Dash Point, the side of town that borders Federal Way, but we can help anywhere in the city. Inside Tacoma, Tacoma Power supplies your electricity and also issues the electrical permit.
Tacoma Electrical Basics: Utility, Permits and County
Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and the third largest city in Washington, with about 219,000 people at the 2020 census. It runs its own public utility, Tacoma Public Utilities, and its power division, Tacoma Power, serves homes and businesses across the city.
| Item | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|
| County | Pierce County (county seat) |
| Electric utility | Tacoma Power (Tacoma Public Utilities) |
| Electrical permits and inspections | Tacoma Power Electrical Inspection, 253-502-8277, applied for online |
| Building permits for remodels and additions | City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services |
| Outage reporting | Tacoma Power, 253-502-8600, or text OUT to 50419 |
| Contractor license and electrician certificates | WA Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
| Electrical code | Tacoma Municipal Code chapters 12.06 and 12.06A, with WAC 296-46B and the National Electrical Code |
L&I does not issue electrical permits for addresses Tacoma Power serves. If you are just outside city limits, for example in Browns Point or Dash Point, look at your power bill. If Tacoma Power is your utility, Tacoma Power handles the permit. If another utility serves you, the permit comes from L&I.
Northeast Tacoma, Browns Point and Dash Point
Northeast Tacoma is the part of Tacoma closest to Federal Way. It sits on the hill east of Commencement Bay, above the Port of Tacoma tideflats, and its northeast edge is the King County line with Federal Way. Because the port separates it from the rest of Tacoma, it is the city’s most suburban neighborhood. Indian Hill, the highest point in Tacoma, is here.
Browns Point and Dash Point sit just beyond Tacoma city limits on the water. Both are unincorporated Pierce County communities with the 98422 ZIP code, and they rely on Tacoma for many services. Dash Point State Park, right next door, is across the county line in King County.
- Northeast Tacoma 98422
- Browns Point
- Dash Point
- Crescent Heights
- Norpoint area
- Marine View Drive
- Indian Hill
- The Links at Northshore
From Federal Way, most people reach this side of Tacoma on Dash Point Road (SR 509), which becomes Marine View Drive as it follows the shoreline, or by heading west from the Twin Lakes and Northshore areas. It is the shortest trip in our service area outside Federal Way itself.
What homes in Northeast Tacoma need
Northeast Tacoma has more planned communities than any other part of Tacoma. Many of those homes date from the 1990s, with newer view homes added since. Browns Point and Dash Point have a wider mix, from older homes to large custom houses on view lots.
1990s subdivisions
Panels that are around 30 years old, builder grade breakers, few dedicated circuits in kitchens and garages, and no whole home surge protection. A common upgrade point before adding an EV charger or heat pump.
Waterfront and bluff homes
Salt air and wind off Puget Sound are hard on exterior fixtures, outlets and outdoor panels. Weather resistant GFCI receptacles, sealed boxes and corrosion checks matter here.
HOA and common areas
Entrance lighting, clubhouse circuits, pathway lights and irrigation controllers. HOAs and property managers often want one electrician for recurring work.
The Rest of Tacoma: Older Homes, Older Wiring
Tacoma was incorporated in 1875, and much of the city was built long before modern electrical codes. That shows up in the calls electricians get across town.
| Area | Main ZIP codes | Typical housing | Common electrical issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tacoma | 98422 | 1990s and newer subdivisions, view homes | Aging panels, EV chargers, surge protection, HOA lighting |
| North End, Proctor, Stadium, Old Town | 98403, 98406, 98407 | Early 1900s craftsman and older homes | Knob and tube wiring, ungrounded outlets, undersized service |
| Central and Hilltop | 98405 | Older homes, duplexes, newer infill | Rental upgrades, added units, old service equipment |
| Downtown | 98402 | Commercial, condos, apartments | Tenant improvements, commercial lighting |
| South End and South Tacoma | 98408, 98409 | Early and mid-century homes | Fuse boxes, old panels, overloaded circuits |
| Eastside and McKinley Hill | 98404 | Mixed older and mid-century homes | Panel and service upgrades, GFCI updates |
| West End | 98465 | Mid-century ramblers and newer homes | Panel upgrades, EV chargers, lighting |
If you own an older Tacoma home, a whole house electrical inspection is a smart first step before a remodel or purchase. Tacoma also has local historic districts, such as North Slope and the Wedge, where exterior changes can need extra review. Ask your electrician early if a new service mast or meter location would change the front of a historic home.
How Tacoma Power Permits and Inspections Work
Tacoma Power’s electrical inspection office runs things a little differently from L&I or a city building department. Useful details from its permitting FAQ:
- Permits are applied for and paid online. They are not issued over the phone.
- Inspections run on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. You can call that morning to narrow the window to morning or afternoon.
- An adult must be home for inspections in an occupied house.
- Services over 400 amps need a plan review, and a new or relocated service needs a separate New Service application with Tacoma Power engineering.
- A permit must get its first inspection within 1 year of issue, and closes 1 year after the last inspection.
Your electrician should pull the permit and schedule inspections. Keep the final inspection record, since buyers and insurers may ask for it later.
Electrical Services Tacoma Residents Ask For
- Panel replacement and service upgrades
- Rewiring and knob and tube replacement
- Level 2 EV charger installation
- Whole home surge protection
- Troubleshooting and electrical repair
- Landscape and view lighting
- Generator inlets and transfer switches
- Commercial electrical service
Storms and backup power
Northeast Tacoma, Browns Point and Dash Point are exposed to wind off Puget Sound, and fall and winter windstorms bring down trees across the region. A generator inlet with a listed interlock or transfer switch lets you run a furnace, fridge and a few lights during an outage without backfeeding Tacoma Power’s lines.
Talk to a Tacoma electrician
Tell us where you are in Tacoma and what you need. We will connect you with a licensed local electrician.
Warning Signs in Tacoma Homes
- Fuses that blow or breakers that keep tripping
- Two-prong outlets throughout the house
- Cloth covered or knob and tube wiring in the attic or basement
- Lights that dim when appliances start
- Corroded outdoor fixtures or outlets near the water
- Warm panel covers, buzzing or a burning smell
How It Works
Call or send the form
Tell us your Tacoma neighborhood or address and what is going on.
Get connected
We route you to a licensed, independent electrical contractor who works in Tacoma and nearby Federal Way.
Visit and written scope
The electrician checks the problem, explains options and puts the scope and price in writing.
Tacoma Power permit
Your electrician applies for the permit online and any new service request that is needed.
Work and inspection
Work is completed to code and inspected by Tacoma Power before the job is closed.
What Affects the Cost of Electrical Work in Tacoma
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Age of the house | Older homes may need wiring or grounding updates before new work can be added. |
| Service size | Moving to a larger service can require Tacoma Power engineering and a new meter base. |
| Access | Plaster walls, finished basements and tight attics take longer to wire. |
| Location on the lot | Long runs to a detached garage, dock or view deck add material. |
| Permits and inspections | Part of every permitted job, including the Tacoma Power permit fee. |
Electrician Federal Way also covers Fife, Milton and Puyallup. See every city on our service areas page.
Tacoma Electrician FAQs
Who issues electrical permits in Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma Power’s electrical inspection office issues electrical permits and does inspections for properties it serves in Tacoma. Permits are applied for online. The office number is 253-502-8277.
Is Browns Point part of Tacoma?
The Browns Point community itself is unincorporated Pierce County, as is Dash Point. The Tacoma neighborhood next to it, Northeast Tacoma, is often called Browns Point too. All share the 98422 ZIP code.
Who do I get a permit from in Browns Point or Dash Point?
Check your power bill. If Tacoma Power serves the address, Tacoma Power issues the electrical permit. If a different utility serves it, the permit comes from L&I.
Does my old Tacoma house have knob and tube wiring?
Many early 1900s homes in the North End, Stadium, Hilltop and South End were built with it, and some still have sections in use. An electrician can check the attic, basement and panel and tell you what is left and what it would take to replace.
How far is Northeast Tacoma from Federal Way?
They share a border. Northeast Tacoma meets Federal Way at the King County line, and Dash Point Road (SR 509) links the two.
Who do I call when the power is out in Tacoma?
Report outages to Tacoma Power at 253-502-8600, or text OUT to 50419 if you are enrolled. If only part of your home is out, call an electrician.
Does Electrician Federal Way do the work?
We connect you with licensed, independent local electricians. Your electrician does the visit, pricing, permit and work.