Tree Removal Permits in Seattle & the Puget Sound
Many cities in the Puget Sound region (including Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah, Burien, Shoreline, and Edmonds) regulate the removal of certain trees. Rules vary by city, tree size, species, and whether the property is in an environmentally critical area. Emerald Arbor Care helps homeowners understand what applies to their property before any work begins, and we handle the permit process as part of your project.
Call (206) 558-2814 to ask about permit requirements for your tree.
When a Permit Is Typically Required
- Removing a tree above a certain trunk diameter (often called a “significant” or “exceptional” tree)
- Tree removal connected to construction, remodeling, or land clearing
- Work on trees located in critical areas such as steep slopes or shorelines
- Removing multiple trees on a single property within a set time period
When a Permit Usually Isn’t Required
- Removing a hazardous tree that poses an immediate safety risk (documentation from an arborist is often expected)
- Routine pruning that doesn’t remove the tree entirely
- Smaller ornamental trees below a city’s regulated size threshold
City-by-City Basics
Seattle
Seattle regulates removal of certain exceptional and protected trees under its tree protection rules, and requires that tree service providers be registered with the city. See the city’s SDCI tree removal permit page for full guidelines. We are familiar with Seattle’s process and can advise on what your property may need.
Bellevue & the Eastside
Bellevue and neighboring Eastside cities have their own tree codes, which can differ from Seattle’s, especially for waterfront and hillside lots. Bellevue splits its rules between the Clearing and Grading Code (BCC 23.76.035) for standalone removal and the Land Use Code’s tree retention section (LUC 20.20.900) for removal tied to development; see the city’s Tree Removal Only Permit page for how to apply.
Renton
Renton regulates removal of significant trees and applies additional rules for properties in critical areas, such as steep slopes and shorelines along the Cedar River and Lake Washington. Tree removal tied to new construction or land development is also closely reviewed. See RMC 4-4-130 for the code and the city’s Routine Vegetation Management Permit page for the application.
Issaquah
Issaquah’s tree code pays particular attention to forested and foothill properties near Squak and Cougar Mountain, where large conifers and critical-area regulations often come into play. Removal connected to building permits typically requires additional review. See IMC 18.812 (Tree Preservation) for the code and the city’s Tree Permits page for how to apply.
Burien
Burien regulates tree removal in designated critical areas and certain zoning districts, including properties near the Puget Sound shoreline. Requirements can differ for waterfront lots compared to inland properties. See BMC 19.26 (Tree Retention) for the code and the city’s tree regulations page for permit details.
Shoreline, Edmonds & Snohomish County
These cities apply their own permitting rules, particularly for trees near critical slopes, shorelines, or wetlands. Shoreline’s rules live in SMC 20.50, Subchapter 5; see the city’s trees page for details. Edmonds regulates removal under ECDC Chapter 17.130 (Tree Related Regulations). In unincorporated Snohomish County, tree trimming and removal conditions are covered in SCC 13.50.090, with more detail on the county’s tree FAQ page.
Mountlake Terrace
Mountlake Terrace updated its tree code substantially in 2023. Rules are concentrated in three areas: critical areas near streams, wetlands, and steep slopes (including buffers around Lake Ballinger and Terrace, Hall, and McAleer Creeks); formally designated heritage trees over 36 inches in diameter; and tree removal tied to construction or development. Routine removal outside those situations typically doesn’t require a standalone permit. See the city’s Trees for Terrace page or our full Mountlake Terrace tree removal law guide for the details, including penalties and replacement requirements.
Permits are only one part of the picture. For questions about who owns a tree, trimming a neighbor’s overhanging branches or roots, boundary trees, and who’s liable when a tree falls, see our Washington tree law guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for getting the permit: me or the tree company?
We handle the permit application and paperwork as part of our process on jobs that require one, so you don’t have to navigate city code yourself.
What happens if a tree is removed without a required permit?
Cities can issue fines that significantly exceed the cost of the removal itself, so it’s always worth confirming requirements first.
Do hazardous or storm-damaged trees still need a permit?
Hazard trees are typically handled under separate rules, but documentation of the hazard is often required. We can help assess and document this.
Get Help With Your Tree Permit
Call (206) 558-2814 or request a free estimate. We’ll assess your tree, explain what applies to your property, and manage the permit process if one is needed.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change and vary by jurisdiction: always confirm current rules with your local city or county.