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TPCAR supports a YES vote on Pierce Transit Proposition 1 because a growing Pierce County will require continued investment in the infrastructure that connects people to jobs, housing, services, and economic opportunity. Proposition 1 would provide additional funding to expand transit service, including greater frequency, longer operating hours, additional routes, and improved regional connections. These…

The City of Tacoma is currently faced with a $40 million budget deficit. To help close this gap, officials are now proposing a restructure of the city’s business licensing fee system, aiming to generate an extra $6.2 million in revenue.   Because of the unique ways the city calculates gross income for licensing, these changes directly…

The City of Tacoma is working on a major update to its tree and landscape regulations and the final rules could affect homeowners, buyers, developers, and properties throughout the city. No final ordinance has been adopted and the City is still developing draft regulations and taking public input with its next public hearing scheduled for…

Ballots for Washington’s 2026 Primary Election will be mailed beginning July 17 and must be returned by Tuesday, August 4. As REALTORS®, we have an important opportunity to support candidates and policies that understand the connection between housing, economic opportunity, and strong communities. The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is pleased to announce its endorsements…

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act took effect Saturday, July 11th, advancing one of the most significant bipartisan federal housing packages in nearly two decades.  For REALTORS®, this legislation matters because it addresses the problem at the center of today’s affordability crisis: there are not enough homes available for the people who want to buy them.  The…

The maximum annual rent increase percentage is calculated using the June 12-month percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, all items, for the Seattle area as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is expected to be released in mid-July. Landlords issuing rent increase notices on or after June 1,…

Sound Transit recently approved an updated delivery plan for its ST3 expansion program, providing greater clarity on the future of light rail service in Pierce County. While the agency is faced with significant funding challenges across the regional system, the Tacoma Dome 2035 Link Extension remains a committed project and continues to move forward as…

Election season is officially underway in Washington State, with candidate filing week running from May 4 – May 8, 2026. Candidates must file by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8 in order to appear on the ballot for this year’s Primary and General Elections. This year’s election cycle includes several important races throughout Pierce County and across Washington…

Housing and Policy Changes Impacting REALTORS® and Property Owners The 2026 Washington Legislative Session has been another busy year for housing policy. Over 600 bills were introduced, with roughly 140 housing or real estate issues included. Major themes included increasing housing supply, expanding zoning flexibility, tenant protections, and new tax policies.Several bills passed focusing on…

This week, Washington lawmakers introduced companion bills, SB 6346 and HB 2724, that would create a new state tax commonly described as a “millionaires’ tax.” The bills would impose a 9.9% tax on Washington taxable income beginning January 1, 2028.   Both bills are written to include a $1,000,000 standard deduction (combined $1,000,000 for spouses/domestic partners), meaning that the tax would be paid upon any income…