How to apply for a tree removal permit in Olympia, Washington

A 5-step walkthrough drawn from Olympia's tree-protection ordinance. For the underlying DBH thresholds, protected-species list, and full fee schedule, see the city ordinance page.

  1. 1

    Determine if your tree is regulated

    Trees at or above 8" DBH (diameter at breast height) are regulated. Protected tree: 8+ inches DBH. Landmark trees designated separately by City Council. Heritage / landmark designation: Landmark trees designated by City Council for exceptional size, species, or historical significance.

  2. 2

    Determine who must apply

    Permit applicants are typically the property owner or an authorized agent — confirm directly with Olympia before filing.

  3. 3

    Prepare your assessment report

    Your assessment report must include: Tree inventory with DBH (8 inch protected-tree threshold), species, condition, preservation plan, replacement plan; consistent with Olympia Municipal Code 16.60 (Urban Forestry) preservation requirements. Required certifications: ISA Certified Arborist.

  4. 4

    Submit to the permitting department

    Submit your application and assessment report to Community Planning and Development. Reference the full ordinance at https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Olympia/.

    View the full Olympia ordinance

  5. 5

    Plan for replacement obligations

    On-site replacement preferred for protected-tree (8 inch DBH) and landmark-tree removal under Olympia Municipal Code 16.60 (Urban Forestry); fee-in-lieu to urban-forestry fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible.

Where to file

Community Planning and Development

(360) 753-8314

Other Washington permit walkthroughs

See Washington heritage criteria compared — how Olympia's designation rules stack against the rest of the state.

Compare with nearby cities

Need an arborist report for your Olympia permit?

Capture an ISA TRAQ Level 1, 2, or 3 assessment in the field and export a municipality-ready PDF that fits Olympia's required report sections. Free, no account required.

Start a TRAQ assessment