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City of Seattle Tree Regulations
Improving Seattle’s urban forest requires commitment and action by city government and our residents. In addition to outreach and incentives, tree protection regulations play an important role. The City has a number of regulations in place to protect trees.
| PRIVATE PROPERTY: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) |
Tree Protection Ordinance
(SMC 25.11)
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Seattle tree protection regulations, including tree protection during development
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Weeds and Overgrown Vegetation
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Applies to trees on private property that overgrow onto any public right-of-way (Enforcement) |
Environmental Critical Areas Code
(SMC 25.09)
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Tree removal in ECAs is regulated differently because trees play a critical role in preventing erosion and protecting water quality
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Designation of Exceptional Trees
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Exceptional trees are either designated heritage trees or are rare because of size, species, condition, or historic importance
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| Seattle's Green Factor |
Seattle's Green Factor is a score-based code requirement that increases the amount of and improves the quality of landscaping in new development.
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| RIGHT OF WAY, INCLUDING STREET TREES: Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) |
Tree Pruning and Removal
(SMC Chapter 15.43)
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Requires homeowners to obtain a permit from SDOT before removing or pruning a tree in the right-of-way
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| Street Tree Planting (SMC Chapter 15.43) |
Requires homeowner to obtain a street use permit from SDOT before planting a tree along the street
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| PARKS TREES: Seattle Parks & Recreation |
| Tree Management, Maintenance, Pruning, and/or Removal |
Policy to increase the overall tree canopy, tree health and tree longevity within parks<
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Do I Need a Permit?
Within the City of Seattle, removing, planting, or pruning a tree may be regulated depending on whether the tree is located on private property or City right-of-way. Tree protection regulations vary depending on the zoning of your property, if your property is in an Environmentally Critical Area, if you are building an addition or new construction, or if you have any trees over 6” in diameter.
The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) administers and enforces regulations related to private property and development that affects trees. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) regulates trees in the street rights-of-way.
What is an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA)?
| REMOVING TREES |
| Private trees in environmentally critical areas (ECAs) |
SDCI PERMIT REQUIRED
- You cannot remove any trees or vegetation from environmentally critical areas, such as steep slopes, wildlife habitat, and wetlands, without a Tree Removal and Vegetation Restoration approval from SDCI
-Tree removal allowed if removal is part of an issued building or grading permit
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Environmentally Critical Areas and trees |
| Street Trees outside of environmentally critical areas |
SDOT PERMIT REQUIRED
- Under Seattle ordinance #124166, you must obtain a permit from SDOT before removing any tree on a City right-of-way
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To apply for a removal permit, click here or call 206-684-TREE (8733) |
| Private Trees outside of environmentally critical areas |
SDCI PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED
- In general, you cannot remove exceptional trees (exceptional trees are trees that are of significant size or have historical or ecological value) or cut down more than 3 non-exceptional trees 6’’ or greater in diameter each year unless they are determined to be hazardous through a hazard tree assessment by a certified tree risk professional (see TIP 242 for details)
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Tree Protection
Hazard tree removal application |
| PLANTING TREES |
| Street trees |
SDOT PERMIT REQUIRED
-You must obtain a street use permit from SDOT before planting a tree along the street
-Fruit trees, big leaf maples, cottonwoods, and Lombardy poplar trees are explicitly prohibited as street trees
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To apply for a street tree planting permit, click here or call 206-684-TREE (8733)
Free trees |
| Private trees |
NO PERMIT REQUIRED |
How to plant a tree
Free trees
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| PRUNING TREES |
| Private trees in environmentally critical areas (ECAs) |
SDCI PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED
Pruning must meet ANSI 300 standards and large trees shall be pruned by I.S.A. certified arborists only. Pruning areas over 750 sq ft may require a maintenance plan |
Map of Seattle ECAs by address
ECAs and Trees Overview
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| Street Trees outside of environmentally critical areas |
SDOT PERMIT REQUIRED
-Seattle City Ordinance #124166 requires that all persons who prune privately maintained trees within the public right-of-way area obtain a street use permit |
To apply for a pruning permit, click here or call 206-684-TREE (8733)
SDOT tree pruning guide
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| Private Trees outside of environmentally critcal areas |
NO PERMIT REQUIRED
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Pruning links |
Questions?
On private property: Contact SDCI at (206) 684-8850
On right-of-way property (along the street): Contact SDOT (206) 684-TREE (8733)
On parks property: Contact Seattle Parks and Recreation at (206) 684-4113
Click here for questions about illegal cutting and removal |
