Regulations
Trees are Regulated
Within the City of Seattle, removing, planting, or pruning a tree is regulated depending on a number of factors . Where your tree is located – either on private property or in the right of way along a street determines which regulations you should follow. Most right of way street trees between the curb and sidewalk in residential neighborhoods are managed and cared for by the adjacent property owner.
The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) administers and regulates trees on Private Property. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) regulates trees in the street rights-of-way.
The SDOT Tree Service Provider List shows all approved vendors who are allowed to work on street trees within the city.
The SDCI Tree Service Provider Directory is a list of all approved vendors who are allowed to work on your private trees. If you are hiring someone to care for a tree in Seattle, they must be on the Tree Service Provider registry.
Private Property Trees
Street Trees
SDOT PERMIT REQUIRED
- Under Seattle ordinance #124166, you must obtain a permit from SDOT before removing any tree on a City right-of-way
- To apply for a removal permit, click here or call 206-684-TREE (8733)
Private Property Trees
AN SDCI PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED
Street trees
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
Private trees
NO PERMIT REQUIRED
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
- To apply for a street tree planting permit, click here or call 206-684-TREE (8733)
- Free trees
Questions?
On private property: Contact the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections at (206) 684-8850
On right-of-way property (along the street): Contact the Seattle Department of Transportation at (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