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Tree Protection in Kirkland, WA (2026)

2 verified tree protection rules for Kirkland, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Heritage & Protected Trees

Kirkland classifies any regulated tree with a trunk 26 inches or more in diameter as a landmark tree, and KZC 95.23 bars removing one from public or private property without a tree removal permit and an approved mitigation plan. Owners who cut one down must replant three trees per landmark tree removed or pay a $450 per-tree fee.

Kirkland Landmark Tree Removal Rules

Some Restrictions

Kirkland Zoning Code KZC 95.23

No person, directly or indirectly, shall remove any landmark tree from public or private property without first meeting the standards as provided in this chapter... Landmark trees on private properties pursuant to KZC 95.25 shall not be removed without first obtaining a tree removal permit as provided in this chapter... Mitigation Ratio. For each landmark tree removed, the applicant shall plant...

Parkway Planting

Kirkland requires street trees spaced 30 feet on-center in the landscape strip between curb and sidewalk on improved rights-of-way, with City-approved species, a 2-inch planting caliper, and a ban on paving or parking on the strip.

Kirkland Street Tree Planting Strip Rules

Some Restrictions

Kirkland Zoning Code KZC 110.60(4)

4. Landscape Strip and Street Trees – Landscape strips are typically found between the curb and the sidewalk and are planted with grass and street trees spaced 30 feet on-center. When improving landscape strips, the following regulations apply: a. The applicant shall plant all landscape strips with vegetation approved by the City. b. Trees shall be planted per the details outlined in Public Wor...

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kirkland city rules.

Tree Protection in King County