SDOT standards include the preservation or planting of trees as an integral part of proposals for improvements in the street right-of-way. Selected, installed and protected to provide optimum functional and environmental benefits, trees are required street right-of-way infrastructure to be maintained and preserved for public benefit.

To encourage the proper planting of trees in the street right-of-way, SDOT's Urban Forestry Division provides review and approval of the tree type and planting location at no cost to the applicant. Applicants are responsible for maintenance of trees planted, including regular watering to ensure establishment, mulching, and pruning to ensure appropriate clearances over streets and sidewalks. Go to the Urban Forestry webpage for more information and to get a copy of the Street Tree Permit application.

Street Tree Removal or Pruning Permits are required under Seattle City Ordinance #90047. Permit applications are subject to review and approval by the SDOT's Urban Forestry Division. Go to the Urban Forestry webpage for more information and to get a copy of the Street Tree – Pruning and Removal permit application.

Beautification permits are required for the installation of landscape improvements in the street right-of-way. SDOT's Urban Forestry Division provides support services to promote appropriate planting in the street right-of-way. Applicants are encouraged to contact SDOT Urban Forestry Division to receive information on permit requirements and/or general guidelines for landscape architectural design and construction in the street right-of-way.

Some streets have been designated as park drives or boulevards and are under the jurisdiction of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR) as part of the City’s extensive parks system. These streets may or may not have the term “boulevard” in their name. A complete listing of streets under the jurisdiction of SPR is available as Appendix I to Title 15 of Seattle Municipal Code (SMC),

Through an agreement between SPR and SDOT, SDOT is responsible for issuing permits for street uses affecting the paved street surface of park boulevards. Any disturbance to unpaved areas of park boulevards is subject to SPR review and approval. For more information go to SPR web page concerning SPR Revocable Use Permits.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR), as steward of public park lands, is responsible for preserving and protecting Seattle's park system. In order to preserve the public character of park lands and assure their availability for public use and enjoyment, it is the policy of SPR to eliminate and prevent unauthorized non-park uses on SPR lands. Further, it is the policy of SPR to limit authoriz ed non-park uses to the fullest extent practicable. Any project proposed for SPR lands must obtain permission of SPR; usually in the form of a Revocable Use Permit (refer to the next section). Get more information in the complete policy.

Any work on park boulevards, or that may affect other park property, must be reviewed by SPR. A Revocable Use Permit, issued by the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, may be necessary. Refer to the SPR website and follow the links to Permits for Non-Park Use of Park Property or contact the Property Management Unit.

Refer to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR) website for basic information that project applicants must consider when developing landscape plans affecting boulevards or other streets and roadways under SPR jurisdiction.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR) Tree Policy was developed to maintain, preserve and enhance the urban forest within parks; to increase the overall tree canopy, tree health and tree longevity within parks including boulevards; and to ensure that parks trees are managed in a manner that is consistent with other departmental and municipal policies. Private work on trees on SPR property must be approved through issuance of a Tree Permit. Get a copy of the permit and the complete policy.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR) Standards are intended to facilitate design and construction of SPR facilities through standard requirements on SPR property. The Standards are based upon past experiences and practices that have proved successful during design, construction, operation, and maintenance of SPR facilities. In certain situations, Consultant deviations may be acceptable provided they are approved by the Park Engineer and/or Construction Manager prior to implementation. The deviation process described in Section 2.9 Deviation Request Process for Street Right-of-Way Improvements does not apply to, or replace, the SPR derivation request process for projects on or adjacent to SPR lands. Refer to the SPR standards homepage, including SPR, CAD and Survey standards.

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) enforces regulations regarding tree and vegetation protection and removal on private property and in the street right-of-way. To determine the regulations that apply to a specific site, reference DPD Client Assistance Memo (CAM) #242: Tree Protection Regulations in Seattle if the site is not in an Environmentally Critical Area or DPD CAM #331: Environmentally Critical Areas: Tree and Vegetation Overview.