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Puget Sound Tree Service

Permits

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Each city and county here draws its own line. Seattle counts trees by trunk size, Tacoma cares about critical areas, and King County wants an arborist's paperwork for most hazard trees.

Seattle

Removing any tree 6 inches or more in diameter at standard height is reportable work, and so is cutting live branches 4 inches or more, roots 2 inches or more, or a quarter or more of the foliage. Seattle sorts trees into tiers by size: 24 inches and up is Tier 2, 12 to 24 inches Tier 3, and 6 to 12 inches Tier 4. (Seattle) Seattle also publishes a directory of registered tree service providers. (Seattle)

Tacoma

You need no permit to plant or prune trees on private property. Removal needs a permit if the tree sits in a regulated critical area, such as wetlands, streams, habitat, flood areas, steep slopes or aquifer recharge areas, or during development in Urban Residential zones. (Tacoma Tree FAQs) (Tacoma Permits) Removing a hazardous tree is exempt from a site development permit if the job grades no more than 50 cubic yards and disturbs no more than 7,000 square feet. (Tacoma)

Unincorporated King County

An imminent-hazard tree can come down without a clearing permit; take photos before and after. A hazard tree that is not imminent must be documented by a certified arborist and needs a clearing permit. (King County)

Thurston County and Olympia

  • Unincorporated Thurston County lists cutting down trees, logging and thinning forests among land use items that need permits. (Thurston County)
  • Olympia requires a permit to fell more than six trees, six inches or larger, within any 12 months on unimproved property. (Olympia)

Before the crew shows up

  1. Ask who will check the permit rules for your address, and get the answer in writing.
  2. In King County, ask whether the company has a certified arborist who can document a hazard tree.
  3. Check the company's L&I registration. Tree removal is its own contractor specialty. (WAC 296-200A-016)

More in questions to ask a tree service.

Sources

We read each source on October 18, 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the linked page before you rely on a number.

  1. City of Seattle: Tree Service Provider Registry Requirements
  2. City of Seattle: Tree regulations
  3. City of Tacoma: Tree FAQs (PDF, Jan. 2025)
  4. Tacoma Permits: Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
  5. Tacoma Permits: What requires a permit
  6. King County: Do you need a permit?
  7. Thurston County: Do you need a permit?
  8. City of Olympia: When do I need a permit? (PDF)
  9. WAC 296-200A-016, contractor specialties

Written by the Puget Sound Tree Service team. We list businesses; we do not employ, bond or insure them. Spot a mistake? Use the claim page to tell us.