Tree Protection in Yakima, WA (2026)
4 verified tree protection rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Yakima Tree Removal Permits — Public Trees Only (YMC 8.77)
Some RestrictionsHeritage & 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.
Yakima Heritage Trees — No Formal Designation Program (YMC 8.77)
Few RestrictionsTree 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.
Yakima Tree Replacement — Approved Species, Tree Spacing & 1-per-15-Stalls Parking Rule
Some RestrictionsTree 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.
Yakima Public Tree Ordinance (YMC Chapter 8.77) — Tree Board & Civil Penalties
Some RestrictionsLooking for Yakima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
Tree Protection in Yakima County →