Lynnwood, WA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Lynnwood, 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
- Governing section
- LMC 17.15.100
- Significant tree size
- 6+ inches D.B.H.
- Permit expiration
- 12 months from issuance
- Class I limit
- 2 trees or 40% per year
- Class II bond
- 125% of replacement cost, 3+ yrs
- Noncompliance fine
- $25.00 per day
Summary
Removing a tree anywhere in Lynnwood requires a tree removal permit under LMC 17.15.100 unless a narrow exemption applies. Significant trees, six inches or more in diameter, trigger replacement requirements measured in tree units, and violations can bring stop-work orders, civil penalties, and a $25.00-per-day fine for noncompliance.
A "significant tree" shall be any tree that is at least six inches in D.B.H., and not included on the list in subsection (B) of this section. ... Except as otherwise provided in LMC 17.15.150, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove a tree within the city of Lynnwood without having first obtained a valid tree removal permit. ... A tree removal permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire 12 months from date of issuance, or following completion of the development activity, whichever is longer.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3512, passed May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
150. 080, and the city can require an arborist's report at the applicant's expense; a permit expires 12 months after issuance or upon completion of the development activity, whichever is longer, and can be revoked for incorrect information or violations. 080). 120). 1 to 36 inches, and four units for anything over 36 inches, with each unit equal to one replacement tree. 150 cover commercial nurseries and Christmas tree farms, rights-of-way work by a public agency, utility line clearance under state safety rules, dead or diseased trees (unless killed deliberately or through construction negligence), and trees that are an immediate hazard to life or property.
Violations & Fines
Removing a tree in violation of Chapter 17.15 is unlawful and enforced in progressive steps under LMC 17.15.170: the director can issue a stop-work order, require replacement trees calculated from the LMC 17.15.090 tree-unit table (each removed tree is a separate offense), assess civil penalties under LMC 1.01.085, and require a maintenance bond. If a replacement order is not complied with, the property owner faces a civil fine of $25.00 per day, deposited into the city's tree fund; where a site cannot sustain the required replacements, the city instead assesses a fine equal to twice the unreplaceable tree fee per missing tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Lynnwood?
How many trees can I remove without extra city review on my lot?
How is tree replacement calculated in Lynnwood?
What happens if I remove a tree without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lynnwood
Compare Lynnwood 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.