In the City of Bellingham, removing significant trees (six inches or larger) during land clearing or development requires an approved tree retention plan under BMC 16.60. Unincorporated county lots are lighter, apart from critical areas and the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Whatcom's tree-permit picture splits by jurisdiction and by whether you are developing. The City of Bellingham regulates significant trees, defined as six inches or greater in diameter at breast height, under BMC Chapter 16.60 (Land Clearing): before non-exempt clearing, an owner submits a site and tree retention plan showing which trees stay, which go, and how root zones are protected. Routine pruning and many existing single-family lots are exempt. In unincorporated Whatcom County there is no general homeowner yard-tree permit, but critical areas, shorelines, and the Lake Whatcom watershed impose clearing limits. Street trees always require city authorization.
Clearing significant trees without an approved retention plan blocks the associated Bellingham construction permit and brings fines with required replacement. Unauthorized clearing in a critical area or the Lake Whatcom watershed triggers restoration orders.
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See how Whatcom County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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