Lakewood, WA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

70 Article III, requires a permit before most significant trees can come down. 5 feet above ground, has a minimum diameter of 9 inches for evergreen and deciduous trees, or 4 inches for Oregon white oaks, or that the Director independently designates as significant because of its species or wildlife habitat value. Subsection (D) states plainly that 'approval is required prior to the removal of any significant tree,' processed either as an administrative permit for single-family lots and non-project removals under subsection (E), or folded into project permit review for larger developments under subsection (F).

310(A) exempts single-family lots under 10,000 square feet from the tree preservation chapter entirely, except where the lot is part of a subdivision, contains an Oregon white oak, or tree retention is required as SEPA mitigation. 320(C). 320(I)(1)(a) requires replacement 'at a ratio of two to one (2:1) of the total diameter inches of all replacement trees to the diameter inches of all the significant trees removed,' though an ISA-certified arborist can substitute a 1-to-1 canopy or carbon-sequestration ratio under subsections (I)(1)(b) and (c). 310(D), provided the City is notified the next business day and the felled tree is left on site for inspection. 330.