How Edmonds Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Edmonds maintains 114 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Edmonds falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Trimming

Edmonds property owners along any street must prune private trees and other vegetation on their land so it does not block streetlights, obstruct sidewalk passage, hide traffic signs, or obscure the view at intersections and alley intersections. The public works director can order corrective pruning within 14 days, and noncompliance escalates to misdemeanor prosecution or civil fines under ECDC 18.85.060.

Key details: Duty holder: Property owner along the street. Notice period: 14 days to prune after written notice. Enforcement: Misdemeanor or civil violation, ECDC 20.110. Each day: Counted as a separate violation. City self-help: Director may prune and bill owner.

A property owner who ignores a 14-day pruning notice faces prosecution as a misdemeanor, with every day the blockage continues counted as a separate violation, or civil enforcement under Chapter 20.110 ECDC with fines assessed by the hearing examiner. Either way, the director of public works may have the pruning done at the owner's expense and add those costs to whatever penalty the hearing examiner imposes.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

No one may remove, excessively prune, or top a significant tree, one at least six inches in diameter, anywhere in Edmonds without a Type I permit under ECDC 17.130.030, unless the tree qualifies for one of the exemptions listed in ECDC 17.130.040, such as removal from an improved single-family lot outside a critical area.

Key details: Permit trigger: Significant tree, 6+ inches diameter. Permit type: Type I administrative permit. Replacement ratio: 1-3 trees per tree removed, by size. Fee-in-lieu: $2,500/tree, capped at $4.00/sq ft lot. Illegal removal fine: $1,500/tree under 12 inches DSH.

Removing a significant tree without a required permit is a misdemeanor under ECC Chapter 5.50, punishable under ECDC 17.130.100 by a civil penalty of $1,500 per tree under 12 inches in diameter, or the tree's appraised value using the trunk formula method for larger trees, deposited into the city's tree fund. Illegal topping additionally requires the property owner to fund a certified arborist's five-year pruning schedule, and the city may triple civil damages under RCW 64.12.

Water Restrictions

Edmonds restricts lawn and garden irrigation only when the public works director declares a water shortage emergency under Edmonds City Code Chapter 7.10. Once declared, the city can forbid or ration sprinkling, irrigation and other outdoor water use citywide or for specific customer classes, and violators face surcharges, a restricting device, or shutoff.

Key details: Governing chapter: ECC 7.10, water shortage response plan. Trigger: Supplier-reported or director-determined shortage. First violation surcharge: $25.00. Repeat violation surcharge: $50.00 each. Enforcement escalation: Restricting device or service termination.

Violating a declared water restriction is a misdemeanor under ECC 7.10.062, punishable under the code's general penalty provisions. After a documented warning notice, the public works director imposes a $25.00 surcharge for a first violation and $50.00 for each violation after that, billed directly to the water account. A second or later violation lets the director install a water-restricting device on the customer's line or terminate water service outright under ECC 7.10.063.

Composting

Edmonds does not ban home composting. Under ECC 6.20.042(C)(1), a pile of perishable matter that could otherwise be a vermin-breeding nuisance is exempt as long as it is a compost heap or facility maintained to standards recommended by the U.S. Composting Council.

Key details: Local composting ban: None found in this code. Exemption standard: U.S. Composting Council standards. Loses exemption if: Pile attracts mold, insects or vermin. Governing section: ECC 6.20.042(C)(1). Enforcing agency: Planning and development director.

A compost pile that is not maintained to U.S. Composting Council standards and instead harbors or attracts mold, insects or vermin loses the exemption and becomes a health and safety nuisance under ECC 6.20.042(C)(1), enforceable by the planning and development director through civil enforcement under ECDC Chapter 20.110 or criminal misdemeanor prosecution, with abatement costs recoverable from the responsible party.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Edmonds gives residents more flexibility on composting.

Weed Ordinances

Edmonds makes it a public nuisance to let uncultivated berry vines or state-classified Class B or C noxious weeds exceed an average height of three feet within five feet of a neighboring property line, under ECC 6.20.042(A)(2). Separately, Chapter 6.30 bans noxious weeds, thistles and nettles citywide.

Key details: Height trigger: Average height over three feet. Proximity trigger: Within 5 feet of a neighboring lot line. Covered growth: Class B/C noxious weeds and berry vines. Inspecting official: Director of public works. Penalty basis: Chapter 6.20 nuisance penalties apply.

Failing to abate a noxious weed violation after notice under Chapter 6.30 subjects the owner, lessee, occupant or agent to the penalties and remedies for public nuisances set out in Chapter 6.20 ECC, including civil enforcement under ECDC Chapter 20.110 or criminal misdemeanor prosecution, plus recovery of the city's abatement costs, attorneys' fees and contractor expenses if the city has to remove the growth itself.

Native Plants

Development within Edmonds's Firdale Village mixed-use zone must use native and drought-tolerant plants in at least 20 percent of all landscaped areas. The Community Development Code sets this as part of the site design standards that guide project review by the architectural design board and city planning staff for that neighborhood along Firdale Avenue.

Key details: Zone: Firdale Village MU zone only. Minimum native/drought-tolerant share: 20% of landscaped areas. Governing chapter: ECDC 22.100 site design standards. Standard type: mandatory ("shall"), not advisory. Enforcement: civil violation, Ch. 20.110 ECDC.

Firdale Village design standards are enforced as a condition of project approval, and noncompliance is pursued as a civil code violation under Chapter 20.110 ECDC. The director can issue an order to correct violation, followed by a notice of civil violation carrying a stated monetary penalty if the deficiency isn't fixed by the compliance date. A cited party has 15 days to appeal to the city hearing examiner; unresolved penalties and abatement costs can become a lien against the property.

The Bottom Line

Edmonds's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Edmonds is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Edmonds's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.