Tree Removal or Voluntary Vegetation Restoration Approval

For work on private property, select this option if you would like to:

• Remove hazardous trees. For emergency tree removal, this approval request must be submitted within ten calendar days of the emergency action, according to SMC 25.11.030.
• Remove regulated trees according to SMC 25.11.020 or SMC 25.11.050 that are not part of a construction permit application.
• Conduct voluntary vegetation restoration within an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA).

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Notes:

• If you receive approval for tree removal or reportable work on private property, you must also complete a SDCI Tree Public Notice. See Tree Public Notices (SDCI and SDOT) below for information.
• If you are doing work in the right-of-way (street, alley, or planting strip), you need a permit from the Seattle Department of Transportation. See Tree Work in the Public Right-of-Way (SDOT) below for information.

SDCI Tree Public Notice

Select this application to create the required tree public notice for reportable work or tree removal on private property. "Reportable work" is defined as the removal of live branches 4 inches in diameter or greater, pruning or removal of live roots 2 inches in diameter or greater, or removal of live branches constituting 25 percent or more of a tree's foliage-bearing area. Pruning of trees cultivated for fruit production and maintenance of hedges is not reportable work.

A tree public notice must be created and posted on the SDCI Tree Public Notices map web page at least 3 business days prior to performing reportable work and at least 6 business days prior to removal of trees 6 inches Diameter Standard Height (DSH) or greater. Please allow two additional business days for processing and generation of the online notice.

Search for posted tree public notices on SDCI Tree Public Notices map by date range, address, or notice number.

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SDOT Tree Removal Public Notice

If you receive approval to remove a street tree, you must post a SDOT Tree Removal Public Notice for a minimum of 14 days before work begins.

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Note that removing a street tree requires posting the SDOT Tree Removal Public Notice and an approved Tree – Plant/Prune/Remove Permit. See Tree Work in the Public Right-of-Way (SDOT) below for information.

Tree – Plant/Prune/Remove Permit

Select this application if you are proposing planting, pruning, removing, or replacing a tree in the public right-of-way or planting strip.

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Note that if you receive approval to remove a street tree, you must also post a SDOT Tree Removal Public Notice for 14 days. See Tree Public Notices (SDCI and SDOT) above for information.

Annual Vehicle Application

Select this application to apply for an Annual Vehicle Permit, which is required to operate equipment in the public right-of-way.

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Apply to become a SDCI and/or SDOT Registered Tree Service Provider

Select this application to apply to become a registered tree service provider for SDCI and/or SDOT.

• Registration with SDCI is required to perform commercial tree work on private property. Once registered, you are required to display your Tree Service Provider Registration Number on any commercial vehicle conducting work in Seattle.
• Registration with SDOT is required to perform tree services in the public right-of-way.
• If you need to renew or update your registration, or if you want to add a SDCI or SDOT registration to an existing Tree Service Provider Registration, log into My Records to begin the renewal or update process.

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Find a SDCI and/or SDOT Registered Tree Service Provider

View the list of registered tree service providers.

• The City of Seattle requires that all commercial tree work on private property, including removal, reportable work, or consulting services be conducted by a SDCI registered tree service provider. See SDCI Trees & Codes for additional information.
• The City of Seattle requires that all tree work in the public right-of-way, including removal or major pruning must be conducted by a SDOT registered tree service provider.