Island County, WA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Island County, 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
- Significant tree
- 12 in. diameter, measured 4 ft. above grade
- Applies to
- Freeland NMUGA development, excludes plats under 5 lots
- Priority
- Retention ranks above new landscaping (§17.06.520.D.6)
- Tree density
- 12-15 trees/acre depending on use type
- Occupancy hold
- Certificate withheld until landscaping is inspected
Summary
In the Freeland Non-Municipal Urban Growth Area of unincorporated Island County, site design must avoid or minimize removal of significant trees, defined as any healthy evergreen or deciduous tree at least 12 inches in diameter measured 4 feet above grade. Island County Code Section 17.06.520 makes retaining existing significant trees and groves a higher priority than installing new landscaping on qualifying development sites.
B.Applicability.1.The provisions of this section shall apply to all development in the Freeland NMUGA excluding single-family developments of less than five (5) lots. ... 6.It is a higher priority to protect and maintain existing significant trees and/or groves in their present location than it is to establish new landscaped areas.a.Building, site, and landscaping shall be designed to first avoid or, if unavoidable, to limit the impacts to existing significant trees and/or groves with the goal of retention to the maximum extent practical for the site (without impacting the ability to develop the site).
Full Breakdown
520 applies to all development in the Freeland NMUGA except single-family projects of fewer than five lots. 6, it is county policy that protecting existing significant trees and groves in place outranks planting new landscaping: the building, site, and landscaping design must first try to avoid affecting significant trees and, if that is not possible, must limit the impact and retain trees to the maximum extent practical without preventing the site from being developed. 040 as a healthy evergreen or deciduous tree 12 inches or more in diameter, measured four feet above grade. c. a. 3.
Violations & Fines
The Planning Director will not sign off on the required landscape plan or release a landscaping completion bond until an inspection confirms retained significant trees and required plantings are in place (17.06.520.D.4.b). Applicants may post a surety equal to 200 percent of installation cost instead of finishing planting before occupancy, and the county can use a forfeited surety to complete the work itself. General code-enforcement, complaint, and penalty procedures under Island County Code Titles 16 and 17 (referenced at 17.06.030.A) apply to violations of this landscaping chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property in unincorporated Island County?
What counts as a protected significant tree in Island County?
Can I remove a significant tree to build in Freeland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Island County
Compare Island County 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.