Redmond, Washington
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Redmond
Redmond requires a permit to remove any significant tree, meaning 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet. Each lot also has a yearly cap on removals that rises with lot size, and each significant tree removed generally needs one replacement tree.
- County
- King
- Tree rules
- Redmond Zoning Code 21.72, Tree Regulations
- Key local rule
- Permit for any significant tree, 6 inches DBH or more; annual removal limit per lot
- Electric utility
- Puget Sound Energy
- Main hazards
- Windstorms, tall conifers near houses, saturated soils, ice
Yearly removal limits on developed single-family lots
Figures below are from an earlier version of RZC 21.72.020. Confirm current numbers with the city.
| Lot size | Significant trees removable per year |
|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 square feet | 2 |
| 10,001 to 20,000 square feet | 4 |
| 20,001 to 30,000 square feet | 6 |
| 30,001 square feet and up | 8 |
Hazardous, dead or dangerous trees do not count toward the limit. Removing more needs a Tree Exception Request.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Redmond?
Yes, for any significant tree, 6 inches or more in diameter at breast height. The permit also keeps track of how many trees have come off the lot that year. Hazard tree declarations, supported by an arborist, are handled separately and do not count against the cap.
- Under 6 inches
- Not a significant tree.
- Within the yearly cap
- Standard tree removal permit.
- Over the cap
- Tree Exception Request.
Replacement and exceptions
Each significant tree removed generally requires one replacement tree. The city's tip sheet explains how to apply, how to declare a hazard tree and when an exception is needed for removing more trees than the yearly limit allows.
Since February 2024, single-family removal applications and exception requests have been charged by the city. Hazard tree declarations are not.
Signs a Redmond tree may qualify as a hazard
Fungal conks at the base
Root and butt rot in Douglas fir and hemlock.
Dead or dying cedar tops
Drought stress that can lead to decay.
Cracks in the trunk
Especially after windstorms.
Lean with heaving soil
Root plate movement on saturated ground.
A wooded city on the Sammamish
Redmond grew from a small town into a technology hub in a few decades, and many neighborhoods were cut into second-growth forest. Homes in Education Hill, Grass Lawn and along the Sammamish Valley slopes often sit among tall firs and cedars kept during construction.
That canopy is part of the city's character, and the yearly limit is designed to keep owners from clearing a lot all at once. It also means owners with several declining trees may need to plan removals over more than one year, or document them as hazards.
The yearly cap counts significant trees, so small ornamentals and shrubs do not use up the allowance. It is worth having an arborist mark which trees qualify before planning a big yard project.
Planning removals in Redmond
Count the trees
How many significant trees would come out this year?
Separate hazards
Have an arborist document dead or hazardous trees.
Apply
For the permit, or an exception if over the limit.
Replant
One replacement for each significant tree removed.
Redmond tree questions
Do dead trees count toward Redmond's yearly limit?
No. Hazardous, dead or dangerous trees are not included in the limit.
Where do replacement trees go?
On the same lot where possible. Ask the city about alternatives if space is short.
Can I remove more trees for a remodel?
Construction-related removals are reviewed with the building permit.
Does Bellevue have a yearly limit?
Bellevue regulates significant and landmark trees differently. Check its own rules.
How do I declare a hazard tree in Redmond?
Have a certified arborist assess the tree and submit the hazard declaration through the city. The city's tip sheet describes what the arborist report needs.
Can I spread removals over two years?
Yes. Many owners with several declining trees plan removals across consecutive years to stay within the limit.
Eastside and Seattle pages
Reach a tree service in Redmond
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in the Redmond area, or leave your number and one will call you back.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day