Manitou Area Officially Annexed by the City of Tacoma Effective April 1, 2024
On December 12, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Ordinance 28924 (and exhibits) which set an effective date for the annexation of the Manitou area from unincorporated Pierce County to the City of Tacoma on April 1, 2024. (Ratified and reconfirmed on January 16, 2024, through Ordinance 28945). On April 1, 2024 the Manitou Area was officially annexed by the City of Tacoma.
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. On December 12, 2023, the Tacoma City Council set an annexation effective date of April 1, 2024. On that date residents, property owners, and businesses within the Manitou Area were welcomed as part of the City of Tacoma!
Residents, businesses, and property owners can access more detailed information by clicking the buttons below.
Additional Accomplishments (Dec. 2023 - 2024)
Welcome to Tacoma! Event
On February 10, 2024, the City of Tacoma held a Welcome to Tacoma! event for Manitou Area residents, business owners, property owners, and other interested stakeholders at the STAR Center. The even was staffed by numerous City departments as well as representatives from Pierce County. In addition to welcoming the area to Tacoma, staff was also on hand to answer any questions regarding the transition. Mayor Victoria Woodards and Council Member Joe Bushnell were also present to welcome new residents, business and property owners to the City of Tacoma.
Door-to-Door Census
The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) required the City to conduct a door-to-door census in April, 2024, to update the City’s official population.
The census was successfully conducted and accepted by OFM. It will be officially reflected in the City's population estimate following the August, 2024, quarterly annexation filing.
Stormwater and Wastewater Transfer Agreements
As part of the conditions set forth in the 2021 ILA/MOU governing the transition, the City of Tacoma and Pierce County successfully executed two additional agreements regarding the transfer of assets related to stormwater and wastewater.
Past Accomplishments (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 (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