Anyone planning to build should confirm each step below with the agency that decides it. This summary follows Pierce County's Customer Guide for Residential Construction (revised 4/30/2025). Agencies set their own rules and fees, and they can change.
The steps
- Research the parcel. Start with the county's parcel research tools at piercecountywa.gov/ApplyForaPermit: permit history, site constraints and design criteria. Ask for a Pre-application Screening, a report from Pierce County Development Services that identifies known critical areas, special restrictions and any studies required before permitting.
- Septic design and approval. There is no public sewer on the island, so a septic system is required. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) reviews and approves septic designs. Apply online at aca-prod.accela.com/tpchd. TPCHD staff look at soil test pits, so plan for a site evaluation and a design by a licensed professional. The county notes that septic approval can add significant time to a project.
- Water and fire flow. Community water is at the street through Lake Josephine Riviera Water. The county requires a certificate signed by the water provider showing fire flow for the home, or a completed Fire Protection Worksheet. Call the water department early.
- Riviera Community Club approval. The lot is in the Riviera Community Club. Ask the club about covenants and whether its Architectural Control Committee must approve your plans before you submit to the county.
- Electric service. Tanner Electric Cooperative serves Anderson Island. Call to request service and ask about the hookup process and fees.
- Apply for the building permit. Apply online at piercecountywa.gov/Permit with the application, site plan, construction plans, energy code worksheets, a drainage plan if it applies (for example clearing 7,000 square feet or more, excavation of 50 cubic yards or more, or 500 square feet or more of new impervious surface), the fire flow certificate and the septic approval.
- Pay, review, permit, inspections. Fees are invoiced by email and the application is cancelled if unpaid after 5 days. Technical review follows, then permit issuance. You will schedule inspections before each phase is covered. Related permits (septic, fire prevention, electrical through Washington L&I) must be completed before final inspection and the certificate of occupancy.
Who to call
| Who | Phone | Website | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County Development Center (building permits, pre-application screening) | (253) 798-3739 | PCPermits@PierceCountyWa.gov | piercecountywa.gov/903/Development-Center | 2401 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Pierce County Building Division | (253) 798-3152 | piercecountywa.gov/ppw | ||
| Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, septic | (253) 649-1925 (questions), (253) 649-1420 (permitting) | EHSepticSystems@tpchd.org | tpchd.org/homes/septic-systems | 3629 S D St, Tacoma, WA 98418 |
| TPCHD septic records (search by parcel or address) | (253) 649-1500 (main line) | edocs.tpchd.org; tpchd.org/info/records/public | ||
| Lake Josephine Riviera Water (water service, fire flow certificate) | (253) 432-7070 | riviera-waterdept.org | 8419 Eckenstam-Johnson Rd, Anderson Island | |
| Riviera Community Club (covenants, Architectural Control Committee) | (253) 884-4093 | contact@rivieraclub.org; ACC@RivieraClub.org | rivieraclub.org | 11016 Country Club Dr, Anderson Island |
| Tanner Electric Cooperative (electric service) | (800) 472-0208 | tannerelectric.coop | Anderson Island shop: 11009 Guthrie Rd | |
| Anderson Island Fire and Rescue (Station 27) | (253) 884-4040 | andersonislandfire.org | 12207 Lake Josephine Blvd | |
| Pierce County Ferry (Steilacoom to Anderson Island) | (253) 588-1950 | piercecountywa.gov/ferry | 56 Union Ave, Steilacoom | |
| Washington Dept. of Labor and Industries (electrical permits, contractor license lookup) | lni.wa.gov |
Phone numbers and web addresses were checked against each agency's own website on 2026-09-30.