Tree replacement requirements in Washington
Mitigation obligations across 16 verified Washington cities, ranked ascending by replacement ratio. Numbers come directly from each city's published ordinance — heritage and specimen trees typically carry higher ratios than standard protected trees.
Replacement obligation comparison
Sorted ascending by minimum n:1 ratio. Cities with text-only or retention-percentage rules appear last. Click a city for the full ordinance page or the ordinance link for the underlying municipal code.
| City | Replacement ratio | Replacement details | In-lieu fee/tree | Processing | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma |
1:1
1:1 on-site or mitigation payment |
On-site 1:1 replacement preferred for significant-tree (6 inch DBH) removal under Tacoma Municipal Code 13.06.090 (Tree Preservation); mitigation payment to tree-preservation fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible. | — | — | Ordinance |
| Kirkland |
2:1
2:1 replacement for significant tree removal |
On-site 2:1 replacement preferred for significant-tree removal (6 inch DBH conifer / 10 inch DBH deciduous) under Kirkland Zoning Code Chapter 95 (Tree Management); fee-in-lieu to tree fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible. | — | — | Ordinance |
| Renton | Based on retention percentage (typically 30% for single-family) | On-site replacement preferred to meet single-family retention percentage (~30%) under Renton Municipal Code 4-4-130 (Tree Retention and Land Clearing); fee-in-lieu to tree fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible. | — | — | Ordinance |
| Issaquah | Based on retention percentage (typically 30-35% for residential) | On-site replacement required; fee-in-lieu when infeasible. | — | 4-8 weeks | Ordinance |
| Sammamish | Based on retention percentage (typically 30-35% for residential, varies by zone) | On-site replacement required; fee-in-lieu paid to tree fund when infeasible. | — | 4-8 weeks | Ordinance |
| Bothell | Based on retention percentage (typically 35% for residential) | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Auburn | Based on retention percentage and site tree unit standard | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu to tree fund when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Mukilteo | Based on retention percentage and site tree unit standard | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Puyallup | Based on retention percentage and site tree unit standard | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu to tree fund when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Redmond | Based on retention percentage and tree category | — | — | — | Ordinance |
| Everett | Based on retention percentage and tree unit standard | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Lacey | Based on retention percentage and tree unit standard | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Kent | Based on retention percentage; on-site replacement preferred | On-site replacement preferred; fee-in-lieu paid to tree fund when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Bellevue | Based on tree significance tier and site retention requirements | On-site replacement preferred to meet significant-tree retention threshold (6 inch DSH evergreen / 8 inch DSH deciduous) under Bellevue Land Use Code 20.25H; fee-in-lieu to tree fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible. | — | — | Ordinance |
| Federal Way | Based on tree unit standard per acre and replacement schedule | On-site replacement to meet tree unit standard; fee-in-lieu when infeasible. | — | 4-6 weeks | Ordinance |
| Seattle | Tier-based replacement (2:1 to 3:1 depending on tree tier) | On-site replacement required; payment to Tree Fund if infeasible. | — | 4-8 weeks | Ordinance |
How Washington replacement obligations work
- Which city requires the highest replacement ratio in Washington?
- Kirkland, Washington carries the highest verified replacement ratio in Washington at 2:1 (per its ordinance: "2:1 replacement for significant tree removal"). Across 2 verified cities with numeric ratios, the median is 1.5:1 and the lowest is 1:1.
- What's the typical replacement obligation when a tree is removed?
- Most cities in Washington require 1:1 replacement at minimum, with heritage or specimen trees typically carrying enhanced ratios (often 2:1 or 3:1). Median replacement ratio across 2 verified cities is 1.5:1. Many ordinances also accept an in-lieu fee per tree when on-site replanting isn't feasible.
- Can I pay an in-lieu fee instead of replanting trees in Washington?
- Most cities in Washington accept in-lieu mitigation deposits to a tree planting fund when on-site replanting isn't feasible, but the per-tree dollar amount isn't published as a flat fee — it's calculated case-by-case (often based on caliper inches or assessed value). Verify with the municipal forester.
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