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

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

Expected processing time: 4-6 weeks. Plan removal timing accordingly — emergency-tree provisions may differ.

  1. 1

    Determine if your tree is regulated

    Trees at or above 6" DBH (diameter at breast height) are regulated. Significant tree: 6+ inches DBH. Tree retention and replacement standards apply during development per preservation code.

  2. 2

    Determine who must apply

    Eligible applicants in Puyallup: Property owner or authorized agent with arborist report.

  3. 3

    Prepare your assessment report

    Your assessment report must include: Tree inventory with DBH, species, condition, retention plan, replacement plan. Required certifications: ISA Certified Arborist.

  4. 4

    Submit to the permitting department

    Submit your application and assessment report to Development Services. Typical processing time: 4-6 weeks. Reference the full ordinance at https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Puyallup/.

    View the full Puyallup ordinance

  5. 5

    Plan for replacement obligations

    Replacement ratio: Based on retention percentage and site tree unit standard. On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu to tree fund when infeasible.

Where to file

Development Services

(253) 864-4165

Other Washington permit walkthroughs

See Washington replacement obligations compared — how Puyallup's replacement ratio ranks against the rest of the state.

Compare with nearby cities

Need an arborist report for your Puyallup permit?

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

Start a TRAQ assessment