City of Tacoma

What City of Tacoma does

City of Tacoma is a municipal government entity serving the residents and businesses of Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 1868 and headquartered at 747 Market Street, the city operates under elected leadership (Mayor Anders Ibsen) and professional administration (City Manager Hyun Kim), with governance provided by an elected City Council. The city serves a current population projected to reach 325,000 by 2050 and operates across a portfolio of essential public services including public safety, utilities, transportation, housing, environmental services, and economic development. As a public institution, Tacoma is owned by and accountable to its residents under Washington State law, with no parent company, private equity, or venture capital backing.

The city delivers services through a layered digital infrastructure built primarily on third-party platforms. Core systems include Tacoma FIRST 311 (a citizen service request platform powered by SeeClickFix for reporting issues such as abandoned vehicles, potholes, noise complaints, and homelessness), Tacoma Open Data & Maps (a public data portal with Tableau-powered crime statistics dashboards), TV Tacoma (a multimedia communications channel on YouTube), and an Accela-integrated online Permitting Services system for residential and commercial development. Email communications run through GovDelivery, and payment processing is centralized via Municipal Online Payments. Layered on top of this infrastructure are targeted community programs, including the Home in Tacoma Housing Policy (approved November 2024, effective February 2025) to enable middle-density housing through zoning reform, the Digital Equity Partnership with Lightcurve providing free gigabit internet to underserved community organizations, and the Microenterprise Launch & Grow Program delivered via partner Revby LLC.

City of Tacoma's revenue model is that of a typical municipal government, funded primarily through taxes (B&O, property, business licenses), utility fees from Tacoma Power operations billed monthly via the MyTPU portal, permit and development fees, regulatory fees (including the Fats, Oil and Grease program for foodservice businesses), and municipal court fees and fines. The city is currently preparing an updated financial forecast as part of its "Roadmap to Recovery" initiative to address national economic pressures. Service distribution is primarily self-serve digital (tacoma.gov, 311 portal, permitting portal) supplemented by in-person services at City Hall and partner-mediated program delivery.

Name

City of Tacoma

Legal name

City of Tacoma

Website

https://CityofTacoma.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The City of Tacoma is a municipal government serving approximately 220,000 residents (projected to reach 325,000 by 2050) in Washington State, delivering essential public services through digital platforms (311, permitting, open data) and community programs spanning housing, digital equity, and small business support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Utilities (221), Community Housing Services (62422), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF), Active Transportation & Micromobility Infrastructure (Bike/Ped Networks, Shared Mobility Programs) (BPAIALAI)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Public utility services
• Citizen service requests
• Permitting and licensing
• Community development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Property and Business Taxes: The City collects B&O taxes, property taxes, and various business license fees from Tacoma-based businesses.
2. Utility Fees: Revenue from garbage, recycling, and utility services provided to residents through Tacoma Power and related utility operations.
3. Permit and Development Fees: Fees collected for construction permits, development services, and planning applications under the Home in Tacoma housing policy.
4. Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) Program Fees: Regulatory fees from foodservice businesses for grease trap compliance and inspections under the FOG program.
5. Municipal Court Fees and Fines: Revenue from municipal court operations including ticket fees and court costs.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

City of Tacoma delivers essential municipal government services to the residents and businesses of Tacoma, Washington, including utility services through Tacoma Power (power, water, garbage and recycling), permitting and development services, public safety (fire and police), and digital citizen engagement via Tacoma FIRST 311. The City also offers community-focused initiatives such as the Home in Tacoma Housing Policy, the Microenterprise Launch & Grow Program, and the Digital Equity Partnership Program, alongside transparency tools like Tacoma Open Data & Maps and TV Tacoma.

Product overview

City of Tacoma operates as a municipal government offering a portfolio of citizen-facing digital services and community programs. The core digital infrastructure includes Tacoma FIRST 311 (service request/reporting via SeeClickFix), Tacoma Open Data & Maps (public data and crime statistics), TV Tacoma (video communications), and Permitting Services (via Accela). These are complemented by community programs including the Digital Equity Partnership (internet access), Microenterprise Launch & Grow (small business support), and the Home in Tacoma housing policy initiative. The city integrates multiple third-party platforms to deliver these services to residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tacoma FIRST 311 Service System Citizen service request and reporting platform powered by SeeClickFix that lets Tacoma residents submit reports online and via mobile for issues such as abandoned vehicles, garbage, potholes, noise, homeless encampments, parking, and animal problems.
• Tacoma Open Data & Maps Public data portal that provides Tacoma residents with access to city datasets, interactive maps, and dashboards (including the Tacoma Police Crime Statistics dashboard powered by Tableau).
• TV Tacoma City-run multimedia broadcasting platform that delivers official programming such as Council meetings, State of the City Address, Tacoma Streets Initiative coverage, and City of Destiny Awards via TV and the City of Tacoma YouTube channel.
• Permitting Services (Accela) Online permit application and fee payment system integrated with the Accela Automation platform, covering residential and commercial construction permits, land use, and related development services for Tacoma property owners and developers.
• Tacoma Power and Utility Services Residential and commercial utility services operated by Tacoma Power and related City utilities (including power, water, garbage and recycling), billed monthly through the MyTPU payment portal.
• Municipal Court Services Municipal court operations handling ticket fees, court costs, and related judicial services for Tacoma residents and visitors, with payment processing integrated through the Municipal Online Payments portal.
• Voluntary Demolition Salvage Program Voluntary program launching July 1, 2026, that encourages demolition material recovery and resource reuse while streamlining related permitting for sustainability-focused demolition projects in Tacoma.
• Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program Six-year comprehensive transportation infrastructure plan covering 2026-2032, with amendments for 2026 and 2027, adopted by Tacoma City Council to guide citywide transportation improvements.
• Digital Equity Partnership Program Partnership program with Lightcurve offering 12 months of free gigabit-speed internet service to qualifying organizations serving low-income and underserved Tacoma communities, supporting education, workforce development, healthcare access, and community engagement.
• Microenterprise Launch & Grow Program Free CDBG-funded business support initiative for Tacoma solopreneurs and microenterprise owners with five or fewer employees meeting low-to-moderate income eligibility, providing workshops and up to 15 hours of individualized technical assistance in growth strategy, financial management, and capital readiness.
• Home in Tacoma Housing Policy Comprehensive housing policy approved November 2024 and effective February 2025, enabling middle-density housing development through zoning reform to address the city's projected need for 59,000 new housing units by 2050.

Quantifiable outcome

• 199 grease trap inspections conducted per year on average since 2013
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Washington Department of EcologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Tacoma City Council authorized a $1.75 million Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the Washington Department of Ecology for the South Tacoma Tree Canopy Enhancement Partnership. This environmental initiative aims to increase urban tree canopy coverage in South Tacoma areas.
• LightcurvecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026Lightcurve, a Washington state internet service provider, partnered with the City of Tacoma to develop the Digital Equity Partnership Program offering free internet service (up to 1 Gigabit speeds for 12 months) to qualifying organizations serving low-income and underserved communities. The program aims to bridge the digital divide by supporting education, workforce development, healthcare access, and community engagement. Applications open through May 31, 2026.
• Revby LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026The City of Tacoma, through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, partnered with Revby LLC to launch the Microenterprise Launch & Grow Program. This free business support initiative serves Tacoma-based solopreneurs and microenterprise owners with 5 or fewer employees meeting low-to-moderate income eligibility requirements. Program includes in-person kickoff workshop (February 26, 2026) and up to 15 hours of individualized technical assistance through June 2026 covering growth strategy, financial management, and capital readiness.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• City of Bellingham: Washington municipal government with similar digital service orientation, permitting modernization, and mid-sized port-city operational profile.
• City of Portland: Pacific Northwest municipal government comparable in size, port-city character, and policy priorities around housing reform, climate, and equity programs.
• City of Olympia: Washington State capital city with overlapping municipal services, permitting operations, and community development programs; closest geographic peer besides Seattle/Tacoma.
• City of Seattle: Largest municipal government in Washington State with overlapping service portfolio (utilities, permitting, housing, digital equity) and similar Pacific Northwest operating context; closest structural peer to Tacoma.
• City of Spokane: Mid-sized Washington municipal government with similar utility (SCL), permitting, and housing affordability programs; comparable scale and structure.
• City of Federal Way: Adjacent South Sound municipal peer with comparable size, residential growth dynamics, and housing policy programs.
• City of Bellevue: Washington municipal government with comparable digital service delivery (Bellevue Utilities, permitting platforms) and overlapping residential/commercial development pipeline.
• City of Everett: Mid-sized Washington municipal government with overlapping utilities, public safety, and permitting functions; comparable scale and operations profile.

Regional players

• City of Vancouver (WA): Southwest Washington municipal peer across the Columbia River with comparable population, port-related economic activity, and service mix.

Broad incumbents

• Pierce County: County-level government that shares jurisdiction with Tacoma across public health, transportation, and community development; structurally larger but functionally overlapping service categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgovqOkVBFfO3b-5gqG8vLw
• Xx.com/cityoftacoma
• Facebookfacebook.com/cityoftacoma
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-of-tacoma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Tacoma