Welcome to Tumwater! Tumwater is a great place to work, live, shop, play, do business, and raise a family. Explore Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is located at the base of the Deschutes River, where the water cascades to its final destination at the southern tip of Puget Sound. The rugged Olympic Mountains rise in the distance and Mount Rainier seems close enough to touch on a clear day.

City of Tumwater provides water utility services within the city limits and urban growth areas in Tumwater. To start utility service, call (360) 754-4133 or browse to Start Utility Services for more information.

By 1863, the City was known as “Tumwater,” the Chinook jargon word for a waterfall. Tumwater was the starting point for further American settlements of Olympia, Seattle, Whidbey Island, and other points on Puget Sound. It was from Puget Sound that the movement to divide Oregon grew, resulting in the creation of the Washington Territory in 1853.

No matter what time of year it is, Tumwater always has something going on! From the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival in December to the Tumwater Family Festival and Nisqually Red Wind …

The parks and open spaces in Tumwater provide both active and passive recreation opportunities for thousands of users each year, offering a wide variety of ways to enjoy our city and lifestyle in Tumwater.

The City of Tumwater is a non-charter Code City which utilizes a Mayor-Council form of government. Seven Councilmembers act as policy makers, providing the Mayor, the City's separately-elected chief executive officer, with guidelines and performance objectives.

The City of Tumwater requires formal land use approvals and building permits before developing land, constructing, remodeling, or demolishing buildings and other structures. Permits are also required for other actions such as tree removal and installation of signs.

The city of Tumwater is comprised of many departments and offices that serve its residents with services ranging from public safety to maintenance of the streets and other infrastructures that …

(Note – The Tumwater Police does not have a jail on site.) Retrieve property? Call (360) 754-4200 to make an appointment in advance.