Kitsap County, WA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- KCC § 16.24.040.G.3
- Minimum tree density
- 1 tree per 25 ft of frontage
- Maximum spacing
- 35 ft between trees
- Species requirement
- Large canopy trees, KCRS-consistent
- Installation deadline
- Before final plat or certificate of occupancy
- Maintenance duty
- Fronting property owner, not county
- Jurisdiction reach
- Unincorporated Kitsap County only
Summary
Kitsap County requires street trees along all public and private streets classified as principal or minor arterial, collector, sub-collector or local access roads for new land segregations processed in unincorporated county areas. Trees go in the road right-of-way, access tract, or front yard, spaced at least one per twenty-five feet of frontage and no more than thirty-five feet apart, installed before final plat approval or certificate of occupancy.
Street trees, landscaping and stormwater consistent with Titles 12 and 17 shall be provided along all public and private streets that meet the criteria for classification as a principal or minor arterial, collector or local sub-collector and local access roads as determined by the Kitsap County Road Standards. Street trees shall be located in the road right-of-way or access tract, or the front yards of individual lots or units. Where adequate ROW is available, street trees shall be located between roadway and sidewalk. Street trees located on individual lots may be installed before final plat approval or before the certificate of occupancy for individual building permits. There shall be at least one tree per every twenty-five feet of road frontage. Trees shall be spaced no further apart than thirty-five feet. Street tree species shall be consistent with the Kitsap County Road Standards (KCRS) and shall be large canopy trees unless otherwise approved by the director for special mitigating circumstances. Maintenance of street trees and landscaping within county right-of-way is the responsibility of the fronting property owner(s).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4864424; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
56). 3 requires street trees, landscaping and stormwater facilities consistent with Titles 12 and 17 along every public and private street that qualifies as a principal or minor arterial, collector, local sub-collector, or local access road under the Kitsap County Road Standards (KCRS). Trees must sit in the road right-of-way or an access tract, or in the front yards of individual lots or units; where enough right-of-way exists, the county requires the trees between the roadway and the sidewalk rather than behind it. Spacing is fixed at a minimum of one tree per twenty-five feet of road frontage, with no gap wider than thirty-five feet between trees.
Species have to match KCRS standards and must be large canopy trees unless the director approves an exception for special mitigating circumstances. Developers may install lot-sited street trees either before final plat approval or before the certificate of occupancy is issued for individual building permits, giving builders flexibility on timing while tying the obligation to two hard permitting checkpoints. 3 places that duty on the fronting property owner. 050.
Violations & Fines
Kitsap County enforces this section through the permitting process rather than a stand-alone fine. Section 16.24.040.G.3 ties street tree installation to two checkpoints: final plat approval and the certificate of occupancy for individual building permits, so incomplete street trees can delay plat recording or hold up occupancy of a unit. The same section assigns ongoing maintenance of right-of-way street trees and landscaping to the fronting property owner, not the county, so a neglected or removed tree becomes that owner's liability to replace under the Kitsap County Road Standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these street tree rules apply inside Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, or Bainbridge Island?
How far apart must street trees be planted in a new Kitsap County subdivision?
Who has to maintain street trees once they are planted?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
Compare Kitsap County to another location·View the Washington tree protection overview
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