Tacoma Utility Access Clearing
We clear snow from utility panels, meters, shutoffs, and vaults so crews can reach critical systems in any Western Washington storm.
Utility Access Clearing in Tacoma means opening a path to the things that must stay reachable: meters, electrical panels, transformer pads, hydrants, gas shutoffs and cleanouts. Washington Snow Removal clears those points by hand or with a compact track loader so crews and owners can get to them.
We are licensed, bonded and insured, and we dispatch from our Bothell yard, 73 minutes from Tacoma. Snow here is infrequent, so a call usually comes after a single event. Call 206-809-9669 to set up a visit.
Snow and ice on Tacoma sidewalks
Recent winter events logged for the Tacoma area
- Dec 1, 2022: Winter Weather
- Feb 8, 2019: Heavy Snow
- Dec 21, 2008: Heavy Snow
Sources: NOAA and National Weather Service records for Tacoma, 2005–2026.
Utility Access Clearing in Tacoma: What the Work Involves
Tacoma gets about 5.6 in of snow per season. Snow is on the ground about 3 days a year, and only 1.6 days bring 1 in or more. That means most winters have little to clear, but a single storm can bury a meter or hydrant before anyone plans for it. Recent logged events include Heavy Snow on Feb 8, 2019 and Dec 21, 2008, and Winter Weather on Dec 1, 2022.
The bigger concern is ice. Tacoma sees 31 freezing nights from Oct to Apr, even though only 1.3 days a year stay below freezing. Meltwater from a thin snowfall can refreeze overnight around access points, so we treat these areas as well as dig them out.
A typical visit includes:
- Hand shoveling around meters, panels, cleanouts and shutoffs
- Loader work for larger pads or long paths
- Ice melt on the cleared area where needed
Pricing is simple. Crew members are $110 per person-hour, and the Kubota SCL1000 compact track loader with operator is $175 per hour. Bagged ice melt is $45 per 50 lb bag. Tacoma is trip zone C, at $350 per dispatch, and each dispatch has a 2-hour minimum.
If the access point is beside a public walk, note that TMC 9.16.050 sets a 24-hour deadline for clearing snow and ice from public walks at your premises.
Prices in Tacoma
Billed by the hour for the crew and equipment on site, plus materials.
| Crew member (shoveling, sidewalks, hand work) | $110 / person-hour |
| Compact track loader with operator (Kubota SCL1000) | $175 / hour |
| Ice melt, bagged | $45 / 50 lb bag |
| Trip charge for Tacoma (zone C) | $350 / dispatch |
- 2-hour minimum per dispatch.
- Tacoma is 73 minutes from our Bothell yard.
Prices approved Oct 2026.
Service Area
Tacoma
Benefits
Keeps emergency shutoffs reachable in a crisis; Exposes meters for accurate winter reads; Prevents frozen lids from trapping utility vaults; Maintains code-required clearance at electrical panels; Speeds response for utility and repair crews
