On April 1, 2009, the City of Seattle implemented interim tree protection measures enacted by Ordinance 122919. These new regulations are intended to slow the loss of Seattle’s urban forest and close a loophole used by developers to take down trees before applying for a development permit. The interim regulations will stay in place until permanent tree protection regulations are adopted.

“The people of Seattle strongly believe in good stewardship of our trees and we expect developers to act in good faith,” said Mayor Nickels. “These interim measures will help hold the line as we prepare more comprehensive regulations to protect and grow Seattle’s urban forest.”
Previously, there were few limits on tree cutting for most developed sites in Seattle, other than in environmentally critical areas. Under the new regulations, the following limits will be applied to all commercial, low-rise, and mid-rise zones and single family lots 5,000 sq ft or greater where no development is proposed:

• No exceptional trees may be removed. Exceptional trees are large or old trees of significant value and are defined in Director’s Rule (DR) 16-2008.
• No more than 3 non-exceptional trees 6” in diameter or greater may be removed on a lot within any 12 month period

No new permits are required for tree removal within these limits. Trees found to be a hazard are exempted from these requirements; however, removal of hazard trees will require submittal of materials documenting the hazard. Removal of trees in environmentally critical areas continues to be subject to stricter regulations.

Interim tree protection measures also expanded the definition of exceptional trees to include more trees with substantial canopy as well as groves of trees and increased the penalties for willful or malicious violations of tree protection regulations.