Tree removal permits in City of Federal Way: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a tree removal permit in City of Federal Way, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com..
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Federal Way's source.
When does a tree removal need a permit in City of Federal Way?
Triggered by removal of a tree that the city's own tree ordinance protects — commonly defined by a diameter at breast or standard height, a listed-species table, a grove or heritage designation, or a canopy-cover target. This baseline row carries NO verified local threshold; read the city's tree chapter before quoting a number. Some cities do not permit removal above a size at all — they prohibit removal of regulated trees outside enumerated exceptions, so a "permit required at X inches" reading is wrong there.
From City of Federal Way's own code
“19.120.030 Exemptions. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to allow clearing, grading, and/or the removal of trees or other vegetation within sensitive areas or sensitive area buffers where prohibited under FWRC Title 19 , Division IV, critical areas, or in designated native growth protection areas. Clearing and grading activities are also subject to review under Appendix J of the International Building Code. The following actions shall be exempt from the provisions of this article: (1) Digging and filling for cemetery graves.”Source ↗verified 2026-09-23
Required submittals
- site plan with tree locations + DBH
- arborist report (sometimes)
- replacement / mitigation plan
Inspection sequence
- site verification (arborist or planner)
- final replacement compliance
Contractor specialties needed
general
Who can do this work in City of Federal Way?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Federal Way and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the tree removal permit with Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com., carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Federal Way tree removal quote.
Notes & caveats
Issuing body is city planning / urban forestry. Replacement requirements common (e.g. 1:1 or 2:1 by canopy area). Critical-area parcels (steep slope, salmon stream buffer) have stricter rules. A hazardous or dead tree is usually treated differently, but EXEMPT IS THE WRONG WORD for most cities: the common pattern is that the permit is still required and the FEE is waived, on an arborist's report. Issaquah is the measured case — "No fee is applied when all trees proposed for removal are deemed hazardous" — which is a waiver, not an exemption, and a homeowner told they need no permit would remove a regulated tree without one. Check whether this city waives the fee or the permit.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Federal Way tree removal — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (3).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com. ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull tree removal permits in City of Federal Way every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com., handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Tree removal permits in City of Federal Way — FAQ
When does a tree removal need a permit in City of Federal Way?
Triggered by removal of a tree that the city's own tree ordinance protects — commonly defined by a diameter at breast or standard height, a listed-species table, a grove or heritage designation, or a canopy-cover target. This baseline row carries NO verified local threshold; read the city's tree chapter before quoting a number. Some cities do not permit removal above a size at all — they prohibit removal of regulated trees outside enumerated exceptions, so a "permit required at X inches" reading is wrong there.
How much does a tree removal permit cost in City of Federal Way?
Current fee per the City of Federal Way fee schedule: Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds.. Plus ancillary plan-review/tech-surcharge fees per city schedule.