Locksmith Services in Tacoma, WA

Homes and locks in Tacoma

Stadium-Seminary, between North I Street and the shoreline from First Street to North 10th Street, is one of Tacoma's earliest residential neighborhoods, with high-style homes tied to early lumber barons and railroad executives.

The North Slope Historic District, from North I Street to North Grant Avenue between Division Avenue and Steele Street, holds more than 950 properties, mostly middle-class Victorian, Craftsman, Colonial Revival and Foursquare houses. Street signs mark its edges.

College Park, beside the University of Puget Sound, and Buckley's Addition add Queen Anne, revival-style and Craftsman houses. The Wedge, a pre-war middle-class neighborhood, became a district in 2011.

Two small districts stand apart: South J Street's eight detached row houses from 1889 and 1890, and Salmon Beach, about 100 stilt cabins at the base of a steep bluff on the Tacoma Narrows.

In the North Slope and Wedge, city guidelines note that historic entry doors commonly have sidelights and occasionally a transom. Start with the lock, such as lock rekeying after a purchase or lock repair, before planning a new door.

Businesses and buildings

The Union Depot-Warehouse district flanks Pacific Avenue from South 17th to South 23rd Street, up the hill to Jefferson Avenue, with early-1900s brick warehouses, Union Station (1911) and the University of Washington Tacoma campus in reused warehouses.

Its guidelines call the storefront a major character-defining feature, and exterior alterations to contributing properties need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval before development permits are issued. When you ask for commercial locksmith work in a converted building, say which door is involved (storefront, office or residential entry) and who controls the exterior doors.

Car trouble in Tacoma

City of Tacoma downtown parking uses Pay by Plate, so no receipt goes on the dash. With the keys locked inside, you can still pay by parking app or text while you arrange a car lockout visit.

In Residential Parking Zones, cars without a permit may park for two hours during operating hours. Each annual permit includes ten guest passes, each valid for one 24-hour period, so a visitor whose key goes missing can ask the host for one while arranging a car key replacement.

Local rules worth knowing

Historic design review (TMC Chapter 13.07). North Slope and Wedge guidelines adopted under this chapter ask owners to retain historic entry doors whenever feasible. A non-custom replacement proposed for security or cost reasons should appear to be wood and suit the house's style. Exterior work on a contributing house that needs a building permit also needs design review.

Landlord Fairness Code (TMC 1.100.030). Under this voter-approved code, a landlord may not raise rent while found in violation of health and safety tenant protection laws under TMC 2.01.050 procedures, while a request for repairs to make the unit habitable is unresolved, or while otherwise violating RCW 59.18.060, which, per the City's rental handbook, includes reasonably adequate locks and keys.

• The tenant first gives written notice of the defect under RCW 59.18.070, before the rent increase's effective date.
• The landlord must fix it and notify the tenant and the City before raising rent.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Requesting service in Tacoma

Give the neighborhood or cross streets, including North or South in the street name, since Tacoma uses both. Downtown, name the entrance and suite; at Salmon Beach, describe how to reach the cabin. Washington Locksmith Pros takes service requests from homes, businesses and drivers in Tacoma. See house lockout or the Washington page.