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

Everything you need to know about pulling a tree removal permit in City of Seattle, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI).

Look up your City of Seattle address

Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Seattle's source.

Permit required?
Removal not allowed (unless SDCI approves it as hazardous) if: 12 in or more at 4.5 ft (Tier 3 or larger) · part of a grove or a Director's-Rule species (Tier 2 at any size) · a third tree of 6 to 12 in within three years.
Permit fee
Seattle issues no tree-removal permit when no development is proposed. A hazardous-tree removal is approved by SDCI on a registered tree service provider's risk assessment (SMC 25.11.040); Kolmo has not verified what SDCI charges for that review.
Review timeline
Not published by the city

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

When no development is proposed (SMC 25.11.050): trees under 6 in DSH are not regulated. On a developed lot in a Neighborhood Residential, Lowrise, Midrise, commercial or Seattle Mixed zone, no more than two Tier 4 trees may be removed in any three-year period (Tier 4: 6 in to under 12 in DSH). Tier 3 (12 in to under 24 in), Tier 2 (24 in or more, every tree in a grove, and species named by Director's Rule) and Tier 1 (heritage) trees may not be removed unless deemed hazardous or in need of emergency action, with documentation. Hazardous removal needs SDCI approval in advance, on a tree risk assessment by a registered tree service provider rating the tree Extreme or High risk (SMC 25.11.040). The Director may also allow removal of a Tier 3 or Tier 4 tree that is damaging a foundation or utilities (SMC 25.11.050.D). On an undeveloped lot, Tier 1 to 4 trees are all protected.

From City of Seattle's own code

“no more than two Tier 4 trees may be removed in any three-year period on developed lots in Neighborhood Residential, Lowrise, Midrise, commercial, and Seattle Mixed zones”
Source ↗verified 2026-09-22

Required submittals

  • tree risk assessment by a registered tree service provider (hazardous removal, SMC 25.11.040)

Contractor specialties needed

registered tree service provider

Who can do this work in City of Seattle?

Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Seattle and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the tree removal permit with Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Seattle tree removal quote.

Notes & caveats

Commercial tree work must be done by a tree service provider on the City registry (SMC 25.11.100). Tier 1 to 3 trees removed as hazardous or in an emergency must be replaced (SMC 25.11.090). When development is proposed, Tier 3 and 4 trees may be removed as part of the development permit and Tier 2 trees only as SMC 25.11.070 allows.

How to apply yourself

  1. 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Seattle tree removal — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (1).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) ↗
  4. 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Seattle issues no tree-removal permit when no development is proposed. A hazardous-tree removal is approved by SDCI on a registered tree service provider's risk assessment (SMC 25.11.040); Kolmo has not verified what SDCI charges for that review.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Or have Kolmo do it

We pull tree removal permits in City of Seattle every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), handle reviewer comments, and build the project.

(206) 410-5100

Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured

Compare this against other cities

Side-by-side tree removal requirements across every covered Seattle-area city.

All City of Seattle permits

Every project type — ADU, addition, kitchen, bath, deck, fence, and more — for City of Seattle.

Tree removal permits in City of Seattle — FAQ

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

When no development is proposed (SMC 25.11.050): trees under 6 in DSH are not regulated. On a developed lot in a Neighborhood Residential, Lowrise, Midrise, commercial or Seattle Mixed zone, no more than two Tier 4 trees may be removed in any three-year period (Tier 4: 6 in to under 12 in DSH). Tier 3 (12 in to under 24 in), Tier 2 (24 in or more, every tree in a grove, and species named by Director's Rule) and Tier 1 (heritage) trees may not be removed unless deemed hazardous or in need of emergency action, with documentation. Hazardous removal needs SDCI approval in advance, on a tree risk assessment by a registered tree service provider rating the tree Extreme or High risk (SMC 25.11.040). The Director may also allow removal of a Tier 3 or Tier 4 tree that is damaging a foundation or utilities (SMC 25.11.050.D). On an undeveloped lot, Tier 1 to 4 trees are all protected.

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

Current fee per the City of Seattle fee schedule: Seattle issues no tree-removal permit when no development is proposed. A hazardous-tree removal is approved by SDCI on a registered tree service provider's risk assessment (SMC 25.11.040); Kolmo has not verified what SDCI charges for that review. Plus ancillary plan-review/tech-surcharge fees per city schedule.

City of Seattle resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗