Tree removal and major pruning often require a permit, but the rules vary widely by city, property type, and tree location. In Washington State, local jurisdictions regulate when permits are required, what qualifies as a hazard tree, and when an arborist report is necessary.
This page provides a high-level overview of common tree permit requirements and links to city-specific guides with more detailed information, including application processes, documentation requirements, and common exceptions.
This guide to tree permit requirements in Washington State is written and reviewed by ISA Certified Arborists and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) professionals with hands-on experience preparing permit applications, arborist reports, and supporting documentation for cities across the Puget Sound region.
Tree permit questions are rarely just about removing a tree — they’re about process, documentation, and compliance. Requirements vary by city, tree size, location, and site conditions, and misunderstandings can lead to delays, denials, or enforcement issues.
Our arborists are routinely asked to evaluate and document:
Tree permitting decisions are often based on technical arboricultural criteria, not just homeowner intent. A qualified arborist can help property owners:
Sound Tree Care LLC is recognized for professional, safety-driven tree care and consulting — including being a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave and a Comcast RISE recipient — and we apply that same standard of care to permit-related arborist documentation and guidance.
This page does not provide legal advice. It reflects real-world arboricultural practice, municipal permitting considerations, and common requirements encountered during tree permit reviews in Washington State.
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Whether a tree permit is required depends on site-specific conditions, not just whether you’re pruning or removing a tree. In Washington State, tree permit requirements are set by local jurisdictions, and the same type of work may be regulated differently from one city to the next.
Common factors that often determine whether a permit or public notice is required include:
Trees located in ECAs or steep slope areas are often subject to additional review or permitting.
Street, sidewalk, and planting-strip trees are regulated separately from private property trees.
Minimum diameter limits vary by city and may trigger permit requirements.
Some trees are regulated regardless of size based on species or local protection rules.
Removal of major limbs or heavy pruning may require a permit or public notice.
Tree work tied to development commonly requires review and documentation.
In Washington State, whether a tree permit is required depends on the city, the tree’s size and location, and the scope of work. Some pruning and small tree removals may be allowed without a permit, but many removals — and some major pruning — require city review, documentation, or public notice.
Tree permit rules aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each city sets its own thresholds and review process based on tree location, size, site conditions, and whether the work is tied to development activity. Use the sections below to find city-specific guidance and links to deeper resources.
Seattle permitting often depends on tree size, location, and whether the tree is in an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA), steep slope, or tied to a development permit.
Bellevue requirements vary by location and project type. Some removals are reviewed through development permitting, and some sites require arborist documentation.
Kent permitting is often driven by tree size and site conditions, especially where clearing, grading, or development review is involved.
Renton tree regulations commonly intersect with development and environmental review, especially on constrained sites or where protected trees are involved.
Shoreline permitting can depend heavily on site conditions and whether tree work is connected to construction, shoreline areas, or environmentally sensitive zones.
Federal Way requirements often depend on tree size, location, and project context. Some removals are reviewed through permitting tied to development activity.
Burien rules often depend on tree size, location, and whether work is associated with development review. If a tree is regulated, documentation is commonly required.
Tacoma permitting can vary depending on tree location and project type, especially where development permitting and site constraints apply.
Tree permit requirements vary by city, site conditions, and scope of work. If you’re unsure whether a permit is required, we can help you identify the likely next step before work begins.
If you’ve received a correction notice or permit intake request, include it when you reach out so we can align documentation with the city’s requirements.
Tree permitting decisions are often based on documented site conditions, tree measurements, and whether the proposed work meets local requirements. A qualified arborist can help clarify which rules apply, prepare defensible documentation, and reduce delays caused by incomplete or inconsistent submittals.
Identify whether a permit or public notice is likely required based on city, tree location, size, and scope of work.
Document species and diameter at standard height (DSH), canopy spread, and tree locations for city review.
Provide written documentation supporting removal, pruning, or preservation strategies in permit-regulated situations.
Assess likelihood of failure and consequences for targets when hazard conditions are part of the permit request.
Identify when pruning, risk mitigation, or preservation is feasible and aligns better with municipal standards.
Help compile photos, site notes, and required attachments so the city has what it needs to review efficiently.
If you’re dealing with ECAs, steep slopes, development activity, or hazard concerns, it’s usually worth confirming requirements and documentation before work begins.
Permit requirements vary by city, but most jurisdictions ask for the same core information. Gathering the items below upfront helps prevent delays and reduces back-and-forth during review.
Jurisdiction matters. Include the city and the exact site address (or parcel number if available).
Capture the whole tree, trunk base, canopy, nearby structures/targets, and slope conditions.
A diameter estimate at standard height helps determine whether thresholds or protected categories apply.
Specify prune vs remove, how much canopy is involved, and whether large structural limbs are being cut.
Hazard concerns, health decline, conflicts with structures, or development activity all get evaluated differently.
Note ECAs/steep slopes, right-of-way impacts, utilities, access limitations, and recent site changes.
Already have photos or a city notice? Send them over and we’ll help you identify the likely next step.
Whether you’re unsure if a permit is required, responding to a city correction notice, or preparing documentation for tree removal or pruning, Sound Tree Care LLC can help guide you through the permitting process.
Our ISA Certified Arborists provide permit determinations, arborist reports, and TRAQ risk assessments to support code-compliant tree work across Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region.
Call:
206-486-7790
📬 Or Request Online Permit Help → Request Help Online
Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Renton, Kent, and the greater Puget Sound area.
Seattle, WA 📞 (206) 486-7790
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Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Shoreline, Renton, Kent, Mercer Island, Newcastle, and communities across the greater Puget Sound region Sound Tree Care LLC provides professional tree removal, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, and arborist consulting. Our team of ISA Certified Arborists is proud to serve Western Washington communities with safe, code-compliant tree care.
