How Yakima Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide

Yakima maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Yakima falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Heritage & Protected Trees

The Yakima Municipal Code does not contain a heritage-tree, landmark-tree, or specimen-tree designation program. The Yakima Tree Board's authority under YMC Chapter 8.77 is limited to trees in City parks, along City streets, and in other City-owned public areas, and the City has Tree City USA status (designated 2017) through the Arbor Day Foundation.

Key details: Heritage Program: None in YMC. Tree Board Scope: City parks, streets, public areas (not private). Tree Board Established: Ordinance 2016-032 (12/6/2016). Tree City USA: Designated 2017 (Arbor Day Foundation). Diameter Threshold: None in Yakima code.

Because no heritage-tree program exists in Yakima, there is no city penalty for removing an old or large private tree (subject only to the general YMC 8.77 rules for trees on public property and the YMC 11.40 hazardous-vegetation rules). Removing a city tree without authorization remains a civil infraction under YMC 8.77 regardless of the tree's age.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Yakima gives residents more flexibility on heritage & protected trees.

Tree Replacement Requirements

Replacement of street trees in Yakima must come from the Public Works approved species list under YMC Chapter 8.77, with minimum spacing tied to species size class. Off-street parking lots under YMC Chapter 15.06 must include one tree per fifteen single-row parking stalls drawn from the same approved list.

Key details: Street Tree Species: Public Works approved list (YMC 8.77). Tree Spacing: Small 30 ft / Medium 40 ft / Large 50 ft. Parking Lot Landscape: 10% of total parking area (YMC 15.06). Parking Lot Trees: 1 tree per 15 single-row stalls. Minimum Planter: 24 sq ft (except raised planters).

Planting a street tree of a species not on the approved list, without written Tree Board permission, is a civil infraction under YMC 8.77 with a maximum penalty of $250 per violation and each day a separate offense. Failing to provide the required 1-tree-per-15-stalls parking landscaping under YMC 15.06 prevents issuance of a permanent certificate of occupancy until installed; failing to install YMC 15.07 sitescreening has the same effect.

Tree Removal Permits

Yakima requires a city process only for removal of street trees, park trees, and other trees on public property under YMC Chapter 8.77, administered by Public Works and the Yakima Tree Board. There is no general permit required to remove a tree growing wholly on private property, except that the City may compel removal of a private tree that is dead, diseased, or hazardous.

Key details: Code: YMC Ch. 8.77 (Public Tree Ordinance). Private Healthy Tree: No permit required. Street / Park Tree: Must go through City; licensed contractor required. Tree Board Established: Ordinance 2016-032 (Dec. 6, 2016). Penalty: Civil infraction, up to $250/violation/day.

Removing a street tree or park tree without going through the City — or performing the work without the required Washington State license and Yakima business license — is a civil infraction under YMC 8.77 with a maximum penalty of $250 per violation, each day a separate offense. Failure to remove a city-noticed hazardous or diseased private tree authorizes the City to abate the hazard and recover costs.

Tree Ordinances

Yakima's primary tree ordinance is YMC Chapter 8.77 (Public Tree Ordinance), administered by the Yakima Tree Board (established by Ordinance 2016-032) and Public Works. It regulates planting, pruning, removal, and topping of street trees, park trees, and other trees on public property, with a civil-infraction penalty of up to $250 per violation per day. The City retains limited authority over hazardous private trees.

Key details: Primary Ordinance: YMC Chapter 8.77 (Public Tree Ordinance). Tree Board Origin: Ordinance 2016-032 (12/6/2016). Public Works Tree Contact: (509) 575-6005. Tree Board Staff: Eric Crowell, Senior Planner — (509) 576-6736. Penalty: Civil infraction up to $250 per violation per day.

A violation of YMC Ch. 8.77 is a civil infraction subject to a maximum penalty of $250 per violation, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Unlicensed commercial work on public trees, unauthorized planting of a non-approved street tree, topping public trees, and interfering with City tree work each constitute separate violations. The City can also abate hazardous trees on private property and recover costs.

The Bottom Line

Yakima's tree protection 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 Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Yakima's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.