Tree removal permits in Lynnwood: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

When does tree removal need a permit in Lynnwood?

In Lynnwood removing any tree, a woody plant with a trunk 3 in or more across at 4.5 ft or a multi-stemmed trunk with a formed crown, needs the City's tree removal permit, on private land or public (LMC 17.15.040 Q, 17.15.100). On a developed single-family lot under 16,000 sq ft it is a Class I permit, approved as soon as the application is complete for up to two significant trees (6 in or more) or 40 percent of them, whichever is greater, in a calendar year; more than that, or a tree replanted or saved under an earlier permit, is inspected first, and each significant tree over the allowance is replaced (17.15.110). Every other site takes a Class II permit (17.15.120). A dead or diseased tree needs no permit unless it was killed deliberately or by careless construction, nor does a tree that is or threatens to become a danger to life or is damaging property, as the City determines on review (17.15.150 D, E). A designated heritage tree may not be removed or even pruned without Public Works' approval (17.15.070 D). Within 300 ft of a critical area or its buffer the work also needs the City's critical areas permit. A tree in the street right-of-way is a street tree.

From Lynnwood's own code

“Except as otherwise provided in LMC 17.15.150, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove a tree within the city of Lynnwood without having first obtained a valid tree removal permit.”

Source ↗verified 2026-10-28

What Lynnwood says in its own permit handout

From Tree Removal Checklist, published by Lynnwood. This is the jurisdiction's own guidance on its permit process, not the ordinance text — where the two differ, the code governs.

“Class I Permits A Class I permit is required for developed residential lot less than 16,000 square feet and are subject to:

• City review if more than 2 significant trees or 40 percent of significant trees are planned to be removed”

Checklist ↗read 2026-09-05

Required submittals

• Site plan with tree locations + DBH
• Arborist report (sometimes)
• Replacement / mitigation plan

Inspection sequence

1. Site verification (arborist or planner)
2. Final replacement compliance

Contractor specialties needed

General contractor

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. Cities treat a dead, dying or hazardous tree differently, so check this city's rule before removing one. Some need no permit for it (Lynnwood: no permit for a dead, diseased or dangerous tree, LMC 17.15.150). Some allow emergency removal if the city is told afterward (Kirkland: within seven days, KZC 95.15). Some still require the permit and waive the fee (Issaquah: no fee when every tree proposed for removal is deemed hazardous).