How Kennewick Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide

Kennewick maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Kennewick falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Removal Permits

Kennewick does not have a private-property tree removal permit chapter. Permits and approvals only apply to trees in the public right-of-way (KMC Title 5), trees inside an approved KMC 18.21 landscape plan, and trees in a KMC 18.58 critical area.

Key details: Private Tree Permit: Not required. ROW Permit: KMC Title 5 required. Site Plan Trees: KMC 18.21 binds owner. Critical Area: KMC 18.58 limits. State Forest Practices: RCW 76.09.

Cutting a parkway or ROW tree without a Title 5 permit is enforceable as a code violation with cost recovery. Removing a tree from an approved 18.21 landscape plan can block certificates of occupancy. Cutting in a 18.58 critical area without review can trigger SEPA restoration orders.

Kennewick is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree removal permits. That said, there are still limits.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Kennewick does not have a heritage, landmark, or specimen tree ordinance. Tri-Cities urban forestry runs through the Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council with Richland and Pasco, and tree protection in Kennewick comes through KMC 9.48 nuisance authority and KMC 18.21 landscape plans, not a size-based heritage code.

Key details: Heritage Tree Code: None adopted. Regional Forestry: Mid-Columbia Forestry Council. Site Plan Protection: KMC 18.21 only. Nuisance Authority: KMC 9.48 / RCW 7.48. Comparable Code: Spokane SMC 12.02.975.

There are no heritage-tree penalties because Kennewick has no heritage designation. Damage to a city park or ROW tree is still enforceable under KMC Title 5 and KMC 9.48 as a public nuisance with cost recovery against the responsible party.

The rules around heritage & protected trees in Kennewick lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Replacement Requirements

Kennewick has no city-wide replacement ratio for trees removed from private property. Replacement requirements are tied to KMC 18.21 (Landscaping) for new development — including planting density, species, and ongoing maintenance — and to ROW tree replacement coordinated with the city Engineering Division.

Key details: City-Wide Ratio: None in code. Plan Authority: KMC 18.21.040. Typical Caliper: 2-inch shade tree. ROW Replacement: City handles. State Funding: WA DNR Urban Forestry.

Failure to maintain or replace trees on an approved KMC 18.21 landscape plan is a zoning violation that can block CO renewal or trigger code enforcement. ROW tree damage is enforced under KMC Title 5 with replacement cost recovery against the responsible party.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Kennewick gives residents more room on tree protection. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Kennewick can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.