Access Lakewood Property Records
Lakewood property records are managed by Pierce County, which maintains parcel data, ownership information, assessed values, and recorded documents for this city of about 70,000 people in southwest Pierce County. Whether you need to look up who owns a parcel, verify a property's assessed value, or find a deed filed against a Lakewood address, Pierce County offices hold those records. This page explains the agencies involved, how to search online, and what records are available for Lakewood properties.
Lakewood Overview
Lakewood Property Records: Where They Live
Lakewood is in Pierce County. All property tax, parcel, and deed records for Lakewood are held at the county level. The city does not maintain its own separate property record system. Three county offices handle the records that matter most: the Pierce County Assessor, the Pierce County Treasurer, and the Pierce County Auditor.
The Pierce County Assessor values every parcel in Lakewood for property tax purposes. Washington law requires assessments at 100% of true and fair market value as of January 1 each year under RCW 84.40.020. The assessor's online portal lets you search by address or parcel number and pull up ownership name, assessed value, property class, lot size, and sale history. That portal is the primary starting point for most Lakewood property record searches. Assessment rolls and all property characteristics are public records available for inspection.
The Pierce County Treasurer handles tax billing and collection for Lakewood properties. First-half taxes are due April 30 and second-half taxes are due October 31. If taxes go unpaid, the Treasurer manages foreclosure proceedings. The Treasurer also accepts payments and can provide payoff amounts and payment plan information for delinquent accounts.
The Pierce County Auditor records all legal documents affecting real property in Lakewood. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other conveyances are filed here under RCW 36.22.010. Under RCW 65.08.070, recording gives public notice of any interest in real property. An instrument that is not recorded may be void against a later buyer who records first without notice of the earlier claim.
Searching Lakewood Property Data Online
The Pierce County Assessor's online property search at property.piercecountywa.gov is the main tool for Lakewood records. You can search by property address or parcel number. Results show the current owner, assessed value, property description, lot dimensions, and sale history. This is often the fastest way to confirm who owns a piece of property in Lakewood without making a phone call.
The screenshot below shows the Pierce County property owner search portal, which covers all Lakewood parcels: Pierce County property records search for Lakewood ownership and parcel data.
The Pierce County Assessor maintains parcel data and ownership records for all Lakewood properties, searchable by address or parcel number.
For recorded documents like deeds and mortgages, the Pierce County Auditor maintains a public record search. You can look up recorded instruments by party name or document type. Electronic recording is available for title companies. The Auditor's website also notes that racially restrictive covenants can be flagged and disavowed under Washington State law, a feature that applies to older recorded documents statewide.
If you need historical property records, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds older county assessor property record cards. These go back to the 1930s and 1940s in many counties and can be useful for chain-of-title research.
The City of Lakewood handles its own permits and planning. Building permit applications go through the city's Online Permit Center, accessible at cityoflakewood.us. The city has a Permit Search Portal for looking up existing permit applications by address. Planning and land use decisions are handled by the Planning and Public Works Department. City Hall is at 6000 Main St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. Phone is (253) 589-2489, and the Permit Center number is (253) 512-2261.
City of Lakewood Planning and Permits
The City of Lakewood manages land use review, building inspections, and code enforcement separately from county property records. The Lakewood city website at cityoflakewood.us provides access to permit applications, zoning information, and the city's municipal code.
The screenshot below shows the City of Lakewood's official website: City of Lakewood official website for permits, planning, and city services.
Lakewood's Planning and Public Works Department handles local land use review, building permits, and zoning compliance, while Pierce County manages the parcel database and recorded documents.
When researching a Lakewood property, it often makes sense to check both the county and city resources. The county gives you assessed value, ownership history, and recorded deed data. The city gives you permits, zoning, and code enforcement history. Together, these paint a clear picture of a property's full record.
Property Tax Assessments in Lakewood
Pierce County values all Lakewood parcels at 100% of market value as of January 1 each year. The assessor revalues properties on a continuous cycle as required by RCW 84.41.030. Your tax bill is based on your assessed value multiplied by the combined levy rates of the taxing districts that cover your parcel. In Lakewood, those districts typically include the city, county, school district, and fire district.
The Pierce County Assessor administers several exemption and deferral programs for qualifying property owners. The senior and disabled persons exemption can reduce the taxable portion of your assessed value if you meet the income requirements. Agricultural open space programs are also available. If you think your property was assessed too high, you can appeal to the county Board of Equalization by the deadline shown on your change-of-value notice.
Note: Under RCW 84.40.020, assessor records showing property values are open to public inspection. However, confidential income data submitted for exemption applications is exempt from disclosure.
Recording Deeds and Transfers in Lakewood
Every time a Lakewood property is sold or transferred, the deed must be recorded with the Pierce County Auditor. This requirement comes from RCW 65.08.070, which broadly defines conveyances to include any written instrument that creates, transfers, or assigns an interest in real property. The recording fee is set by the county. Documents that fail to meet formatting requirements under RCW 65.04.045 may be rejected or charged a non-standard fee.
Before a deed can be recorded, the Real Estate Excise Tax must be paid under RCW 82.45. The excise tax is based on the sale price and is typically paid by the seller at closing. The county treasurer must confirm that all property taxes on the parcel are paid or that none are due before the auditor will record the transfer. This step protects buyers and ensures clean title.
Pierce County Property Records
Lakewood is in Pierce County, and all property records for the city are held at the county level. The Pierce County Assessor, Treasurer, and Auditor offices handle everything from parcel valuations to deed recording. For a full look at county resources and contact details, visit the Pierce County property records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Lakewood also have property records pages.