Tree Protection in Pierce County, WA (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Protected Tree Species
Pierce County treats Oregon white oak trees and woodlands as priority wildlife habitat, not ordinary landscaping. A stand at least one acre with 25%-or-more oak canopy, or a single oak of 20 inches diameter or more within the urban growth area, is a protected Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area under the county's critical areas code.
Pierce County Oregon White Oak Habitat Protection
Significant RestrictionsPCC 18E.40.020.B.4.a
a. Oregon white oak trees and woodlands. Oregon white oak woodlands, stands, and individual trees meeting the following criteria shall be considered priority habitat and shall be subject to protection under the provisions of this Chapter: (1) Priority Oregon White Oak Woodlands. Stands of Oregon white oak or oak/conifer associations where the stand is at least one acre in size and the canopy co...
Parkway Planting
Unincorporated Pierce County requires street trees along both sides of urban roads under PCC 18J.15.050, spaced at one tree per 30 lineal feet of frontage. Developers pick between right-of-way planting or an alternative per-lot canopy-tree count, with root barriers required near pavement and curbs.
Pierce County Street Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsPierce County Code 18J.15.050
A. Applicability. Street trees shall be installed along both sides of all urban roads in urban areas only. Flexibility may be allowed when requirements for low impact development (LID) best management practices (BMPs) preclude street trees on both sides of a road. ... C. Standards. ... 2. Street trees shall be installed along each side of streets at a rate of 1 per 30 lineal feet of roadway, ex...
Tree Protection by City in Pierce County
2 cities in Pierce County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Pierce County ordinances
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