Snohomish County has no standalone homeowner tree-removal permit, but for new residential development in urban growth areas SCC 30.25.016 sets minimum tree-canopy percentages (15-30%), requires significant trees in buffers to be retained, and controls removal of retained trees.
SCC 30.25.016 imposes tree-canopy requirements on all new residential development applications within unincorporated urban growth areas. Table 30.25.016(3) sets minimum canopy coverage by development type: 30% for single-family subdivisions of 10+ lots, 25% for short subdivisions of 4-9 lots, 20% for those under 4 lots and for 10+-unit detached/cottage/townhouse/multifamily, and 15% for smaller projects and Urban Center/Mixed Use Corridor projects. All significant trees within required perimeter landscaping, critical-area protection areas, and buffers must be retained (SCC 30.25.016(2)). Certain activities are exempt, including removing hazardous, dead, or diseased trees with a qualified-arborist letter, and building on lots created before April 21, 2009. For established single lots not undergoing a covered project, the county generally does not require a permit to remove
Removing retained/replacement significant trees without arborist hazard documentation is subject to a fine under SCC Ch. 30.85, plus 3:1 replacement for retained trees lost during development.
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Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County prohibits cruelty, neglect, and abandonment of animals under SCC 9.12.080. Failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, med...
Snohomish County, WA
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Snohomish County, WA
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Snohomish County, WA
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Snohomish County, WA
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Snohomish County, WA
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See how Snohomish County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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