Property Research

A property can be identified by a Parcel Identification Number (PIN), a 10-digit number assigned by the King County Assessor’s Office (also called an APN), available on tax records or via Tukwila iMap. If a structure exists, the property will also have a street address (e.g., 6200 Southcenter Blvd).

To determine what can be built on a property, check its zoning. The Zoning Code (TMC Title 18) regulates land use and development standards. The Tukwila iMap “Zoning” layer provides zoning details and links to the relevant code. You can also refer to Land Uses Allowed by District (Table 18-6) to see what uses are permitted in each zone.

Current Land Use & Building Permits

The City’s Development Viewer map provides details on recent permitting and rental housing activity in Tukwila. You may also research active permits through the Permit Center’s Construction and Land Use portals.

When did your property come under the jurisdiction of the City of Tukwila?

It’s often helpful and sometimes necessary, as property owners to know about the history of your home, lot, and or neighborhood. The City of Tukwila incorporated in 1908 as a much smaller City than currently exists. The annexation history map shows when your property came under the governance of the City of Tukwila.

When was your property subdivided or house/structure built?

In general the farther back in time one researches, the fewer records the City will have for all types of activities. The City’s first zoning code and zoning map were adopted in 1957. Records of land use approvals such as shoreline permits, subdivisions, short plats etc. are available from around the early 1970’s.

Previously issued land use approvals and building permits may be available online through the City’s Digital Records Center or through a records request. The City’s development records generally begin in 1958. A Request for Public Records  form must be completed with as much detail as possible. If you have questions on how to fill out the form and/or when you have it completed, call or return it to the Permit Center.

Most of Tukwila’s residential areas fall within the Low-Density Residential (LDR) district, designed for family homes with full urban infrastructure while maintaining neighborhood stability and preventing incompatible land uses.

Development Standards

New single-family homes must meet the Design Standards in TMC 18.50.050. Additional development standards are in TMC Chapter 18.10, including:

• Building Footprint: Determined by lot size (see handout for calculations).
• Maximum Development Area (includes structures & impervious surfaces):
  • 75% for lots under 13,000 sq. ft. (max 5,850 sq. ft.)
  • 45% for lots 13,000 sq. ft. or larger
• Maximum Building Height: 30’ (measured from average grade to roof pitch).
• Setbacks:
  • Front yard: 20′
  • Second front (corner lots): 10′
  • Side yard: 5′
  • Rear yard: 10′

Parking Requirements (TMC Figure 18-7)

• 2 spaces for units with up to 3 bedrooms
• 1 extra space for every 2 additional bedrooms
• Additional parking may be required for home occupations or accessory units.

Residential Parking & Storage (TMC 18.56.065)

• Vehicles must be parked on a durable surface designed to retain water.
• Parking in setbacks is generally prohibited, except in driveways providing access to approved parking.
• Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers: Allowed in side/rear yards but not front yard setbacks (except driveways).
• Driveway Coverage: Max 50% of the front yard or 800 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. Pre-existing driveways exceeding this before 8/25/2004 may remain but not expand.
• Vehicle Limits: No more than six motor vehicles may be parked outside on lots ≤13,000 sq. ft. for over 48 hours (motorcycles/mopeds exempt).

Accessory Dwelling Units

An ADU is a small, self-contained residential unit with its own kitchen and bathroom, located on the same lot as an existing single-family home. ADUs are permitted in residential zones if they meet zoning and building code standards. For more details, please refer to the Accessory Dwelling Units handout.

“Home occupation” (TMC 18.06.430) means an occupation or profession which is customarily incident to or carried on in a dwelling place, and not one in which the use of the premises as a dwelling place is largely incidental to the occupation carried on by a resident of the dwelling place; provided, that:

1. There shall be no change in the outside appearance of the surrounding residential development;
2. No home occupation shall be conducted in any accessory building;
3. Traffic generated by such home occupations shall not create a nuisance;
4. No equipment or process shall be used in such home occupation which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odor, or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses off the lot;
5. The business involves no more than one person who is not a resident of the dwelling; and
6. An off-street parking space shall be made available for any non-resident employee.

Home occupations are required to apply for a business license.

The size and type of development on a site may be limited by the presence of wetlands, watercourses (such as creeks and streams), and geologically unstable hillsides. The Tukwila iMap “Critical Area” layer provides an approximate location of these environmentally sensitive areas.

Additionally, residential properties in Tukwila are regulated by TMC Chapter 18.54: Urban Forestry and Tree Regulations. For more information on tree maintenance, removal, and installation, please visit our Urban Forestry webpage.

Several utility and service providers serve the City. Tukwila iMap provides information on the utility and service providers for a property, such as water, sewer, electric, and waste collection. The City’s Maps page also has PDF maps of utility providers’ service areas.

The Historic Preservation Program was formed in 1978. The program’s goal is to protect historic properties in King County.

Historic properties in King County, including those in Tukwila, may be found using the Historic Preservation Viewer map. 

Work at/upon inventoried sites is reviewed by the King County Historic Preservation Officer as required by Tukwila Municipal Code 16.60.040:
The official responsible for the issuance of building and related permits shall promptly refer applications for permits that affect inventoried historic buildings, structures, objects, sites, districts, or archaeological sites to the King County Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) for review and comment. For the purposes of this section, “affect” shall be defined as an application for change to the site of the inventoried property, whether through new construction, alterations or excavation. Inventoried properties are those that are listed in the King County Historic Resource Inventory. The responsible official shall seek and take into consideration the comments of the HPO regarding mitigation of any adverse effects affecting historic buildings, structures, objects, sites, or districts