Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in the Seattle Area?

“Do I need a permit to cut down my own tree?” It’s one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions we get. The frustrating truth: it depends entirely on which city you’re in, how big the tree is, and where it sits. Rules across the Puget Sound region are a patchwork, and several cities have tightened them recently.

The general lay of the land

• Seattle regulates tree removal through its tree-protection code, with the rules depending on tree size, species, and how many you’re removing in a given period. Larger and “exceptional” trees get the most protection.
• Many suburbs (Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Redmond and others) have their own tree ordinances — Mercer Island’s in particular is known for being strict — often keyed to trunk diameter, slope, and critical areas.
• Critical areas — steep slopes, wetlands, streams, shorelines — almost always add another layer of review, wherever you live.
• Hazard and emergency removals are usually handled differently, but many cities still want documentation that the tree was genuinely a hazard.

Why this matters

Removing a regulated tree without the required permit can mean real fines and mandatory replanting. And “I didn’t know” generally isn’t a defense. The paperwork isn’t hard — but you have to do it before, not after.

Where a certified arborist comes in

A good tree company does this every week and knows the local codes. We can:

• Tell you whether your specific tree is likely regulated.
• Provide the arborist assessment cities often require to document a hazard.
• Point you to the right permit and, in many cases, help you through it.

Start with a free inspection — we’ll tell you honestly whether you can remove it freely, whether it needs a permit, or whether a good pruning solves the problem without removal at all.