Seattle, WA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Tier 1 trees
- designated heritage trees (SMC 25.11.050 Table A)
- Undeveloped lots
- no removal absent hazard, any tier
- Developed lots, no permit pending
- same removal ban applies
- During development
- removable only if hazardous or emergency
- Approved removal
- replacement required under SMC 25.11.090
Summary
Seattle designates heritage trees as Tier 1 under SMC 25.11.050 and bars removing or topping them on any lot, developed or undeveloped, unless the tree is hazardous or an emergency action applies under SMC 25.11.030 or 25.11.040. Even when a lot is being developed, Tier 1 trees still cannot be removed for construction convenience.
A.The removal or topping of the following trees is prohibited, except as provided in Section 25.11.020 and as performed in accordance with Sections 25.11.030 and 25.11.040:1.When no development is proposed, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 trees on undeveloped lots in all zones;2.When no development is proposed, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 trees on developed lots in all zones, except as allowed in subsection 25.11.050.B;3.When development is proposed, in Neighborhood Residential, Lowrise, Midrise, commercial, and Seattle Mixed zones:a.Tier 1 trees may not be removed unless in emergency situations or unless they are hazardous as provided in Sections 25.11.030 and 25.11.040;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
B applying only to smaller Tier 3 and Tier 4 trees. Tier 1 trees get no such allowance. 050 spells out that the Tier 1 category 'Includes trees designated as heritage trees' and that Tier 1 trees 'May not be removed unless deemed hazardous or in need of emergency action with documentation required,' both when no permit application is pending and when one is part of an active development permit. 040. That routes every Tier 1 removal through the hazardous-tree risk assessment or the ten-day emergency-action filing, both administered by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. 090, with the replacement sized and species-selected by the Director to restore roughly proportional canopy cover, and monitored for five years.
Violations & Fines
Topping or removing a Tier 1 heritage tree outside the hazardous or emergency pathways is a violation of Chapter 25.11 under SMC 25.11.120, triggering a notice of violation, a Director-set civil penalty plus 50 percent, and trebled punitive damages if the removal was willful or aimed at improving views or property value. Criminal convictions carry up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail, rising to $5,000 and 364 days for a repeat violation within five years, plus mandatory site restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree a Seattle heritage tree?
Can a Tier 1 heritage tree be removed for a new house or addition?
What happens if someone removes a heritage tree illegally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
Compare Seattle to another location·View the Washington tree protection overview
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Heritage & Protected Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle heritage & protected trees.