Puyallup, WA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Required for
- New commercial/industrial/institutional projects, residential over 1 unit
- Encouraged only
- Residential projects of 2 to 5 dwelling units
- Trigger exceptions
- Arterial tree plan, adjacent planting, mitigation requirement
- Permit needed
- To significantly prune or remove a street tree
- Census required
- Free street tree installation census filing
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $100.00 fine or 30 days
- Extra cost
- Must pay tree's full replacement/installation value
Summary
Puyallup Municipal Code § 11.28.030 requires street trees along the frontage of new commercial, industrial and institutional projects and any new residential development of more than one unit. Smaller two-to-five-unit residential projects are encouraged, not required, unless the site sits on the arterial tree plan, borders an existing planting, or needs trees for mitigation.
Street trees shall be provided along the frontage of any public street abutting a new development project. For purpose of this section, a new development project includes any new commercial/industrial/institutional facility or significant upgrades to said facility and/or any new residential project greater than one dwelling unit. Residential projects between two and five dwelling units will be encouraged but not required to install street trees unless determined by the director or director's designee any one of the following apply ... Street trees shall be located in the public right-of-way or assigned easements and adhere to the design intent, objectives, spacing, location and requirements as detailed herein and the Vegetation Management Standards Manual. ... Violations of the provisions of this title or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall be a misdemeanor. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Each offense shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4985225; v6 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
030: any new commercial, industrial or institutional facility, a significant upgrade to one, or any new residential project of more than one dwelling unit. Residential projects sized between two and five units are treated differently: they are encouraged but not required to plant street trees, unless the director of community development finds that the site is on a street listed in the arterial street tree plan, an established street tree planting already exists next to the project, or trees are needed as part of a mitigation plan.
025. 035 requires a public works construction permit from the community development department before anyone significantly prunes or removes a street tree, and every planting has to be logged on a street tree installation census, filed at no charge. Utilities and city crews doing their own work are exempt from the permit requirement. 050 where strict compliance would cause undue hardship.
Violations & Fines
Section 11.28.045 makes any violation of Title 11's street tree rules, including damaging, cutting or removing a street tree without a permit, a misdemeanor punishable by up to $100.00 and 30 days in jail, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. On top of the fine, a violator must pay the tree's full replacement and installation value, calculated under the International Society of Arboriculture's 'Valuation of Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants' guide or a comparable method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a new house in Puyallup have to plant a street tree?
When does a small 2-5 unit residential project have to plant street trees?
Do I need a permit to remove a city street tree?
What happens if someone damages a Puyallup street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Puyallup
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle parkway planting.