Tree removal permits in City of Renton: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling a tree removal permit in City of Renton, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Renton uses TRAKiT permits portal..

Permit required?
Yes — see threshold below
Permit fee
Tree-removal permits commonly $50-$300 per tree; replacement bonds in some cities. Apply via https://permits.rentonwa.gov.
Review timeline

When does a tree removal need a permit in City of Renton?

Triggered by removal of trees meeting the city's "significant tree" / "exceptional tree" / "tier" threshold. Common thresholds: ≥6in DBH (Bellevue tier 2+), ≥24in DBH (Seattle exceptional), or specific listed species. Single-family lots are sometimes exempt for non-exceptional trees.

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

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. Emergency / dead-hazardous removal usually exempt with arborist letter.

Tree removal permit fee estimate in City of Renton

Worked example for a $25,000 tree removal project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.

Building permit fee$391.25
Plan review$254.31
WA state surcharge$4.5
Estimated total$650.06

Tree-removal permits commonly $50-$300 per tree; replacement bonds in some cities. Apply via https://permits.rentonwa.gov. Computed from the City of Renton fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.

How to apply

  1. 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Renton tree removal — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (3).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Renton uses TRAKiT permits portal.
  4. 4. Track review (typical: ). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Tree-removal permits commonly $50-$300 per tree; replacement bonds in some cities. Apply via https://permits.rentonwa.gov.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Tree removal permits in City of Renton — FAQ

When does a tree removal need a permit in City of Renton?

Triggered by removal of trees meeting the city's "significant tree" / "exceptional tree" / "tier" threshold. Common thresholds: ≥6in DBH (Bellevue tier 2+), ≥24in DBH (Seattle exceptional), or specific listed species. Single-family lots are sometimes exempt for non-exceptional trees.

How much does a tree removal permit cost in City of Renton?

For a $25,000 tree removal project, the estimated City of Renton permit fee is about $650.06 — building fee $391.25 + plan review $254.31 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.

City of Renton resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗