21.72.020 Permits Required.
A. Permit Required. Except as provided in RCZ 21.72.030, Exemptions, any person who desires to cut down or remove any significant tree or any stand of trees, or who desires to conduct grading activities on a site that will result in the removal of trees, must first obtain a permit to do so from the Administrator as provided in this section.
B. Developed Single-Family Lots. The owners of developed single-family lots must obtain a permit prior to removing any significant tree located on the lot. Trees may be removed as follows:
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Lots up to 10,000 square feet: |
Up to 2 significant trees may be removed per year. |
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Lots 10,001 square feet to 20,000 square feet: |
Up to 4 significant trees may be removed per year. |
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Lots 20,001 square feet to 30,000 square feet: |
Up to 6 significant trees may be removed per year. |
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Lots 30,001 square feet and greater: |
Up to 8 significant trees may be removed per year. |
Provided that trees previously designated for protection or located within a Native Growth Protection Area may not be removed unless they are determined to be hazardous. Hazardous, dead, or otherwise dangerous trees are not included in the limits established by this section. The Administrator may approve the removal of more trees in a given year than set forth above if the remaining trees would pose a hazard to life or property.
C. Other Developed Lots. The owners of all other developed commercial, industrial, or multifamily lots must obtain a permit prior to removing any significant tree located on the lot. Permits shall be granted for the removal of no more than five significant trees per acre per year for the purposes of (a) thinning a heavily wooded area where remaining trees may benefit from the thinning and the site’s forested look, value, or function is maintained, or (b) maintaining the site’s landscaped areas. Trees previously designated for protection or located within a Native Growth Protection Area may not be removed unless they are determined to be hazardous. Hazardous, dead, or otherwise dangerous trees are not included in the limits established by this section. Replacement trees shall be planted as provided in RZC 21.72.080, Tree Replacement.
D. Undeveloped Lots Not Under Land Use Permit Review. The owners of undeveloped lots for which no land use application is pending must obtain a permit prior to removing any significant tree(s) or stands of trees on the lot. Removal of 11 or more significant trees requires clearing and grading approval, in accordance with RMC Chapter 15.24, Clearing, Grading and Stormwater Management.
E. Undeveloped Lots for Which Land Use Permit Applications Are Pending. When tree removal is planned in conjunction with the construction of a new or expanded site or building, no separate tree removal permit is required, but the tree protection and replacement standards of this chapter will be applied to the land use permit application in addition to the other criteria found in this code.
F. Forest Practices Permittees. Permittees under Class IV - General forest practice permits issued by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the conversion of forested sites to developed sites are also required to obtain a tree removal permit from the City. For all other forest practice permits (Class II, III, IV – special permit) issued by DNR for the purpose of commercial timber operations, no land use permits will be issued for six years following tree removal.