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

A 5-step walkthrough drawn from Spokane'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

    Heritage tree program and street tree protection. Urban Forestry Division manages public trees. Heritage / landmark designation: Heritage trees designated for age, size, species rarity, or historical significance.

  2. 2

    Determine who must apply

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

  3. 3

    Prepare your assessment report

    Prepare a tree assessment report covering tree species, condition, defects, and proposed action. Required certifications: ISA Certified Arborist.

  4. 4

    Submit to the permitting department

    Submit your application and assessment report to Urban Forestry Division. Reference the full ordinance at https://my.spokanecity.org/urbanforestry/.

    View the full Spokane ordinance

  5. 5

    Plan for replacement obligations

    On-site replacement preferred for protected-tree and street-tree removal under Spokane Municipal Code 12.02 (Urban Forestry); in-lieu mitigation to the Urban Forestry fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible.

Where to file

Urban Forestry Division

(509) 363-5495

Other Washington permit walkthroughs

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

Compare with nearby cities

Need an arborist report for your Spokane permit?

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

Start a TRAQ assessment