Lakewood's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In Lakewood, Washington, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Protected Tree Species

Lakewood, Washington singles out the Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) for protection wherever it grows in the city, under LMC 18A.70.330. The threshold is a 4-inch trunk diameter, far below the 9-inch mark that triggers protection for other significant trees, and healthy oaks may be removed only under specific conditions with 2:1 replacement.

Key details: Protected species: Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana). Protection threshold: 4 inches DBH (vs. 9 inches generally). Removal condition: No alternative siting demonstrated. Replacement ratio: 2:1 diameter inches. Root zone buffer: 1 ft radius per inch of DBH.

Removing, topping, or damaging a protected Oregon white oak without the required permit, or violating any condition of an approved tree protection plan, is enforced under LMC 18A.20.105, which applies title-wide. Under subsection B, violating any provision of the Land Use and Development Code, including a failure to comply with a lawful order, constitutes a Class 2 civil infraction as defined in Chapter 1.48 LMC. The Planning and Public Works Director may also revoke a permit issued in error or obtained through false information, and any violation treated as a public nuisance or safety danger is handled under Chapter 1.44 LMC. Money collected from these penalties, along with tree permit fees, feeds the City Tree Fund under LMC 18A.70.340, which the City can use to restore or enhance native trees, including Oregon white oaks, on public land, private tree tracts, or conservation easements.

Compared to other cities, Lakewood takes a harder line on protected tree species. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Lakewood, Washington, in Pierce County, lets any tree be designated a heritage tree for historical, cultural or environmental significance under LMC 2.48.040(D). Once designated, the tree must be retained; removing it requires a permit under LMC 18A.70.320(G), granted only on specific health, safety or infrastructure grounds.

Key details: Designation authority: LMC 2.48.040(D), heritage tree criteria. Removal permit: Required under LMC 18A.70.320(G). Evaluation required: City staff plus ISA certified arborist. Default rule: All heritage trees must be retained. Replacement ratio: 2:1 diameter-inch on-site (LMC 18A.70.320(I)).

Removing or altering a heritage tree without first obtaining the LMC 18A.70.320(G) removal permit and arborist evaluation bypasses Lakewood's only path to lawful removal; the tree is required to be replaced under the 2:1 diameter-inch on-site ratio (or a documented 1:1 alternative) set out in LMC 18A.70.320(I), and the underlying heritage designation continues to require retention absent a permitted removal.

Compared to other cities, Lakewood takes a harder line on heritage & protected trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parkway Planting

Lakewood requires street trees at least 3 inches in diameter at planting, placed within the street right-of-way under the City Engineer's direction, per LMC 18A.70.170. Trees within 5 feet of pavement or sidewalk need a root control barrier, and removal requires the City Engineer's prior approval.

Key details: Governing section: LMC 18A.70.170. Minimum caliper: 3 inches diameter at planting. Root barrier trigger: Within 5 feet of pavement/sidewalk. Maintenance duty: Adjoining property owner, not the City. Removal: Requires City Engineer's prior approval.

Removing a street tree without the City Engineer's prior approval, or installing street trees that fail the minimum caliper, spacing or species standards, violates LMC 18A.70.170. Under LMC 18A.20.105(B), a Title 18A landscaping violation is a Class 2 civil infraction, and LMC 1.48.010 sets the penalty at up to $500.00, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate infraction.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood is tougher than many cities when it comes to tree protection. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Lakewood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Lakewood'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.