Tree Protection in Shoreline, WA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Shoreline, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Shoreline's tree conservation code recognizes a 'landmark tree' as any healthy tree over 24 inches in diameter with exceptional size, age, or historic value, per SMC § 20.20.048. Once formally designated, SMC § 20.50.350(F) bars removal of a landmark tree, at least 30 inches in diameter, unless the applicant meets that section's exception requirements.
Shoreline Landmark Tree Designation and Protection
Significant RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code §§ 20.20.048, 20.50.350
Tree, Landmark Any healthy tree over 24 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) that is worthy of long-term protection due to a unique combination of size, shape, age, location, aesthetic quality for its species or any other trait that epitomizes the character of the species, and/or has cultural, historic or ecological importance or is a regional erratic. Long-term protection and recognition ...
Protected Tree Species
In the City of Shoreline, trees the City designates as landmark trees under SMC § 20.50.350(F), generally 30 inches or larger in diameter or otherwise historically or visually distinctive, cannot be removed except under the narrow exception standards in SMC § 20.50.350(B), and the code separately defines protected and significant trees for development review.
Shoreline landmark tree protection rule
Significant RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code §§ 20.20.048 and 20.50.350(F)
Tree, Landmark Any healthy tree over 24 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) that is worthy of long-term protection due to a unique combination of size, shape, age, location, aesthetic quality for its species or any other trait that epitomizes the character of the species, and/or has cultural, historic or ecological importance or is a regional erratic. Long-term protection and recognition ...
Parkway Planting
In the City of Shoreline, developments that trigger frontage improvements under Chapter 20.70 SMC must plant street trees along commercial, office, industrial, public-facility, and multifamily frontages, and along any residential frontage on an arterial street, under SMC § 20.50.480, using only species from the City-approved street tree list.
Shoreline street tree planting standards
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.480
A. When frontage improvements are required by Chapter 20.70 SMC, street trees are required for all commercial, office, public facilities, industrial, multifamily developments, and for residential developments on all arterial streets. B. Frontage landscaping may be placed within City street rights-of-way subject to review and approval by the Director. Adequate space should be maintained along th...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Shoreline city rules.
Tree Protection in King County →