tree removal permit requirements across 16 Seattle-area cities
Side-by-side: which of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Mercer Island, Shoreline, Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Everett, Lynnwood require a permit for a tree removal, and what triggers one — each row quoted from the city's own code or permit page, with the source linked. Fees and review times appear where the city publishes them.
16 of 16 cities have authoritative rules on file · 0 always require a permit · 3 depend on the scope · 0 do not.
King County
| Jurisdiction | Permit? | Threshold | Fee | Review days | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City of Bellevue city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com. | — | Cite verified 2026-04-26 |
City of Federal Way city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-23 |
City of Issaquah city | Depends on scope | A Tree Permit is required to remove a significant tree: 6 in DBH or greater, 8 in for alder and cottonwood, measured 4.5 ft above grade. A Tree Permit is required in most cases for removal, excessive pruning (IMC 18.102.090), and creating a wildlife snag. A significant tree is 6" DBH or greater, or 8" DBH or greater for alder and cottonwood; DBH is measured 4.5 feet above average grade. The most common exemption is removal of nonsignificant trees not protected by any other means. Replacement is required at not less than 1:1 and must provide canopy coverage equal to or greater than the tree(s) removed (IMC 18.812.060) — waivable if the site still meets canopy targets after removal. | Fee assessed at time of permit application per IMC 3.64.010; a decision may not be made until fees are paid. No fee applies when all trees proposed for removal are deemed hazardous. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-24 |
City of Kent city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-24 |
City of Kirkland city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-06 |
City of Mercer Island city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-06 |
City of Redmond city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply via https://eplans.redmond.gov. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-06 |
City of Renton city | Depends on scope | Removing more than two significant trees (6 in caliper, 8 in for alder and cottonwood) in a calendar year needs a Routine Vegetation Management Permit. Removal of more than two (2) significant trees within a calendar year requires a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP). A significant tree is a caliper of at least 6", except alder and cottonwood which qualify at 8". A landmark tree is a caliper of 24" or greater, except Big Leaf Maple, Black Cottonwood, and Red Alder which qualify at 30" or greater. Removal of a high-risk tree must be certified by an arborist holding the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), limited to three (3) high-risk trees in a one-year period and only where no landmark trees are proposed for removal. Retained and replacement trees must be maintained in perpetuity from the date of the final land development permit. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply via https://permits.rentonwa.gov. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-24 |
City of Sammamish city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com. | — | Cite verified 2026-05-29 |
City of Seattle city | Depends on scope | Trees under 6 in are not regulated. Up to two trees of 6 to under 12 in may be removed in any three years. Larger trees, grove trees and listed species may not be removed unless SDCI approves them as hazardous, or in an emergency. 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. | 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. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-21 |
City of Shoreline city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/permit-center-remote-services/register-for-a-professional-etrakit-account). | — | Cite verified 2026-05-17 |
Pierce County
| Jurisdiction | Permit? | Threshold | Fee | Review days | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City of Lakewood city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-05-02 |
City of Puyallup city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-24 |
City of Tacoma city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-05-02 |
Snohomish County
| Jurisdiction | Permit? | Threshold | Fee | Review days | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City of Everett city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-24 |
City of Lynnwood city | Not verified | This city protects trees under its own ordinance and Kolmo has not verified the size threshold. Ask the city before cutting; some cities prohibit removal above a size rather than permit it. 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. | Tree-removal permit fees are set per permit or per tree in the city's fee schedule; some cities require replacement bonds. | — | Cite verified 2026-09-05 |
How this table is built
Each row reflects the most-recently-verified authoritative rule on file for that jurisdiction and project type. “Pending verification” means we have the jurisdiction in our database but haven't yet personally checked the city page for tree removal rules — those rows fall back to county or WA-state baselines until verified. Sources link directly to the city or county page we read on the verified-on date. See our data-quality leaderboard for how we keep these current.