Landscaping Rules in Sammamish, WA (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Sammamish, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Sammamish exempts routine tree pruning, limbing and general maintenance outside critical areas from its clearing and grading permit, but the same work inside a critical area or its buffer must follow the tree retention standards, and unlawful removal or damage draws steep civil penalties.
Sammamish Tree Pruning and Trimming Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSammamish Municipal Code § 16.15.050(7)-(9)
(7) The following activities are exempt from the clearing requirements of this chapter and no permit shall be required:...(d) Pruning and limbing of vegetation for maintenance of above-ground electrical and telecommunication facilities; (8) The cutting and removal of any coniferous tree of less than eight inches DBH or any deciduous tree of less than 12 inches DBH; (9) The pruning, limbing, and...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Sammamish requires a clearing and grading permit to remove trees above a set size: cutting a conifer under 8 inches DBH or a deciduous tree under 12 inches DBH is exempt, but larger or protected trees need a permit and unlawful removal draws a $1,500-per-inch civil penalty plus mandatory replacement.
Sammamish Tree Removal Permit Threshold
Significant RestrictionsSammamish Municipal Code § 16.15.050(8)
For development or clearing and grading activity located outside of critical areas and associated regulatory buffers as defined by SMC 21.03.020, no person shall do any clearing or grading without first having obtained a clearing and grading permit except for the following, if associated with an approved land use: ... (8) The cutting and removal of any coniferous tree of less than eight inches ...
Artificial Turf
In Sammamish's shoreline jurisdiction, SMC 25.07.080(2)(c)-(d) lets artificial turf count as required "yard" area alongside landscaping and low decks, so long as it isn't paired with pervious concrete or similar hardscape. Shoreline residential lots must keep 45 percent of the lot as yard; urban conservancy lots need 60 percent above the OHWM.
Sammamish Shoreline Yard Artificial Turf Rule
Some RestrictionsSammamish Municipal Code § 25.07.080(2)(c)-(d)
(c) For shoreline residential areas, 45 percent of the lot shall be yard area. For purposes of this section, “yard” is any surface area that is not structured or hardened. Yard areas may be landscaped, contain uncovered decks of less than 18 inches above grade, or artificial turf, but do not include areas covered by pervious concrete or other similar materials. (d) For urban conservancy areas, ...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sammamish city rules.
Landscaping Rules in King County →