🌿 When You Need a Tree Removal Permit in Seattle
You’ll need a permit if your tree meets any of the following conditions:
- Located within an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) — such as a steep slope, wetland, riparian buffer, or shoreline zone.
- Classified as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 tree under SMC 25.11 — generally 24”+ DBH or a significant native species (Douglas-fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, etc.).
- A street tree in the public right-of-way (requires a separate permit through SDOT Urban Forestry).
- Being removed as part of development or construction that already requires a building or grading permit.
👉 For help with documentation and ECA analysis, visit our
Arboricultural Consulting Services page.
🌳 Trees You Can Remove Without a Permit
You may not need a permit if your tree:
- Is under 6” DBH, and not located in an ECA.
- Is an invasive species such as English holly, English ivy, or cherry laurel.
- Is confirmed by a TRAQ-qualified arborist to be dead or hazardous.
Always check your property’s zoning and ECA layer using the SDCI GIS Map Viewer before cutting. Unauthorized removals can result in fines exceeding $10,000 per tree.
🪵 Hazardous Tree Removals
If a tree is leaning, dead, or presents an imminent risk, it may qualify for the Hazard Tree Removal exemption under SMC 25.09.070.D.
You’ll still need documentation from a TRAQ-qualified ISA Certified Arborist, but hazardous trees can often be removed under a simplified permit process.
Sound Tree Care can prepare official ISA TRAQ Risk Assessment forms and photographic documentation required by SDCI. Learn more about our
Tree Removal Services.
📄 The Permit Process
- Hire an ISA Certified Arborist (TRAQ preferred) to complete a Tree Risk Assessment.
- Submit an Arborist Report and Site Plan to SDCI or SDOT, depending on tree location.
- The City reviews your materials for compliance with SMC 25.11 (Tree Protection Code) and applicable ECA rules.
- SDCI issues a decision or correction notice (average review time: 2–6 weeks).
- Once approved, removal and replanting can proceed per the permit conditions.
Need help managing submittals and corrections? Our
Arboricultural Consulting team handles complete permit packages from start to finish.
⚖️ Replanting and Mitigation
Seattle requires replacement trees for most removals, especially within ECAs.
Typical replanting ratios are 1:1 or greater, depending on canopy coverage, species, and site conditions.
- Replanting must use native or climate-resilient species.
- Replacement trees must be maintained for at least five years.
- If on-site planting isn’t possible, off-site mitigation or payment in lieu may be approved.
See our
Tree planting blog page for guidance on species selection, spacing, and post-planting care.
🚫 Penalties for Unpermitted Tree Work
Seattle enforces its tree code strictly, especially in ECAs and right-of-way zones. Penalties can include:
- Civil fines up to three times the tree’s appraised value (SMC 25.11.100)
- Stop-work orders and permit holds
- Mandatory replanting or restoration plans
Even unintentional removals can trigger enforcement, so always confirm your permit status before starting any tree work.
🪚 Registered Tree Service Providers (RTSP)
Since August 2024, all tree work in Seattle — including pruning, removal, or planting — must be performed by or under the supervision of a Registered Tree Service Provider (RTSP).
The RTSP program, managed by the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), ensures:
- Compliance with ANSI A300 and ISA best practices
- Proper licensing, insurance, and worker training
- Accountability for work performed under city permits
📌 What Seattle Property Owners, Managers, and Contractors Should Know
If you hire a non-registered tree company, you risk:
- Stop-work orders and penalties
- Permit denials or voided approvals
- Potential civil fines or replanting orders
You can verify a company’s RTSP status through the City of Seattle’s
Registered Tree Service Provider Directory.
✅How Sound Tree Care Fits In
Sound Tree Care LLC is a Registered Tree Service Provider (RTSP) with the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) and a qualified SDOT-approved contractor authorized to perform work on street and right-of-way trees.
Our team includes ISA Certified Arborists and TRAQ assessors, allowing us to legally and safely complete:
- Private property tree removals, pruning, and hazard mitigation
- Street tree pruning, planting, and removals under SDOT permit
- Full arborist reports, TRAQ documentation, and ECA permit packages
We’re equipped to handle everything from Tier 2/3 private trees to SDOT-managed public trees, ensuring your project meets all city codes and safety standards.
Seattle Tree Tiers and Protected Trees (Formerly “Exceptional Trees”)
Seattle previously used the term “exceptional tree” to describe large or high-value trees that received additional protection. Today, Seattle manages protected trees using a
tier-based system (Tier 1–Tier 4) under the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI).
Tree tier classification is based on factors such as
diameter at standard height (DSH), species, location, and site conditions, and it determines whether a permit is required for pruning, removal, or development activity. While older documents and articles may still reference “exceptional trees,” homeowners should rely on the
current tier system when evaluating tree protection requirements in Seattle.
If you’re unsure which tier applies to your tree or whether a permit is required, consulting a qualified arborist before pruning or removal can help prevent code violations or delays.
🧾 Our Services: How Sound Tree Care Can Help
Our ISA Certified Arborists specialize in Seattle’s ECA permitting, TRAQ risk assessments, and compliance documentation.
We can help you:
- Identify whether your property lies in an ECA or regulated tree zone
- Prepare complete TRAQ reports and arborist documentation
- Submit permit applications and respond to city corrections
- Safely remove and replant trees per Seattle’s reforestation standards
We simplify the process — ensuring safety, compliance, and stewardship of Seattle’s urban forest canopy.
