Edmonds, WA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Edmonds, WA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Significant tree, 6+ inches diameter
- Permit type
- Type I administrative permit
- Replacement ratio
- 1-3 trees per tree removed, by size
- Fee-in-lieu
- $2,500/tree, capped at $4.00/sq ft lot
- Illegal removal fine
- $1,500/tree under 12 inches DSH
Summary
No one may remove, excessively prune, or top a significant tree, one at least six inches in diameter, anywhere in Edmonds without a Type I permit under ECDC 17.130.030, unless the tree qualifies for one of the exemptions listed in ECDC 17.130.040, such as removal from an improved single-family lot outside a critical area.
A. Applicability. ... No person shall remove, excessively prune, or top any significant tree except as provided by this chapter. B. Tree removal not specifically exempted in ECDC 17.130.040 will be processed as a Type I permit. C. Procedural Exemption. Tree removal associated with building permit, subdivision, or other land use approval will be reviewed with the associated project and will not require a separate tree removal permit. ... A. Removal of trees on an improved single-family lot, except for: 1. That portion of the property containing a critical area or its associated buffer. Critical area in this context does not include erosion hazards with slopes less than 25 percent.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4444, passed August 3, 2026).
Full Breakdown
030 makes tree removal a permitted activity, not a right: cutting, excessively pruning or topping any significant tree requires a Type I administrative permit unless the removal is exempt. If the removal is tied to a building permit, subdivision or other land use approval, it is reviewed with that project instead of through a separate tree permit. 040 lists the exemptions: removal on an improved single-family lot is exempt except for the portion of the property inside a critical area or its buffer; removing nonsignificant trees is exempt; public works, parks, fire department and franchised utility crews can remove trees for utility installation or to address danger to life, property or fire hazards; routine pruning and invasive-species removal following ANSI A300 standards is exempt; and documented hazard or nuisance trees can be removed with a qualified professional's supporting report.
1 to 14 inches, and three for trees larger than 14 up to 24 inches, with replacement trees required to be primarily native species. 00 per square foot of lot area, and the director may require a performance bond equal to 120 percent of the replacement cost plus a five-year, 50-percent maintenance bond after planting.
Violations & Fines
Removing a significant tree without a required permit is a misdemeanor under ECC Chapter 5.50, punishable under ECDC 17.130.100 by a civil penalty of $1,500 per tree under 12 inches in diameter, or the tree's appraised value using the trunk formula method for larger trees, deposited into the city's tree fund. Illegal topping additionally requires the property owner to fund a certified arborist's five-year pruning schedule, and the city may triple civil damages under RCW 64.12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property in Edmonds?
What happens if I remove a tree in Edmonds without a permit?
Do I have to plant new trees if I remove one during construction in Edmonds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edmonds
Compare Edmonds to another location·View the Washington landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle tree removal & heritage trees.