Tree Regulations and Permit Requirements

The Burien City Council adopted tree regulations to protect trees on private property in Burien during their October 3, 2022 meeting. The regulations support the goals of the City of Burien’s Comprehensive Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Green Burien Urban Forest Stewardship Plan.

Call before you cut!

The City's arborist and urban forest planner is available to answer questions on the permitting process.

Call (206) 241-4647 or email [email protected].

Permit Requirements

The City of Burien only accepts tree permit applications and payments through MyBuildingPermit. Paper submissions are longer accepted.

Go to MyBuildingPermit.com

The regulations require private property owners to secure a tree permit before:

Removing exceptional trees, defined as a tree that is large for its species.
Removing more than one tree per year. More trees may be removed if lot is greater than 5,000 square feet.
When tree removal results in a lot below the required tree credit density, which is based on lot size. The larger the lot, the more trees must be preserved or replanted.
Topping trees.
Pruning more than 25 percent of a tree’s canopy.

A permit is not required for removal of small trees that are not considered “significant”, which are trees below six inches in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. A permit is not required for pruning a hedge.

Every single-family residential and multifamily residential lot must preserve a minimum tree credit density which varies based on the size of the lot. If tree removal results in less than the minimum tree credits on a lot, trees must be replaced. This ensures that every lot will have some number of trees on the property.

The regulations emphasize retention of large and healthy trees during construction of new developments and replacing trees that have been removed. Additional tree protection standards have been added to ensure that the trees identified for retention are adequately protected throughout development.

Shorelines, Critical Areas, and Associated Buffers

Separate code sections regulate shorelines (BMC 20.30), critical areas (BMC 19.40) (stream, wetlands, and landslide hazard areas) and public property (BMC 12.38). All trees in shorelines, critical areas and their buffers, and public property require permits for removal, no matter their size.

Vegetation Management Plan: A Vegetation Management Plan is required for properties located in a shoreline management area, critical area, or critical area buffer where vegetation is proposed to be disturbed, including tree removal. Critical areas subject to vegetation management plan review include geologically hazardous areas, frequently flooded areas, wetlands, and streams. A vegetation management plan is required for pruning more than 10 percent of the tree, topping, or pruning cuts over 6 inches in diameter.
A permit is not needed for limited, small-scale work that protects or improves the environment and does not involve grading, filling, or heavy equipment. This includes:
- Selective removal of non-native or noxious plants (perennials, shrubs, or trees under 6 inches in diameter) using hand tools or targeted herbicide applied by a licensed contractor with certification as needed from the Washington Department of Ecology and the Washington Department of Agriculture applications in accordance with published best management practices. Limitations regarding non-native or noxious plant species include species listed by the Washington State or King County Noxious Weed Board. The total removal area does not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet or seven percent (7 %) of the lot the lot area, whichever is greater, unless otherwise authorized through a vegetation management plan under BMC 19.40.180.
- Minor pruning of up to 10% of the live canopy, with cuts no larger than six inches in diameter, no topping, and performed to ensure the tree’s long-term health following ANSI A300 pruning standards.
- Voluntary restoration or enhancement, such as planting native vegetation or installing habitat features like snags or large woody debris.

Tree Removal on Private Property

Minor Tree Removal Permit: A Minor Tree Removal Permit is required for removing exceptional trees, removing trees in excess of the annual allowance (Table 19.26.060-1), or when tree removal results in a lot below the required tree credits. Additionally, if pruning more than 25 percent of the canopy or topping the tree a permit is required.
Major Tree Removal Permit: A major tree removal permit is required in conjunction with a land use or construction permit and would remove significant or exceptional trees shall be required to obtain a major tree removal permit. The major tree removal permit application shall be submitted and reviewed in conjunction with the associated land use or construction permit.

Permit Application Information

All tree permit applications are only accepted through MyBuildingPermit. See Permit Application Information for guidance on preparing your project and permit submittal. If you have any questions, contact p[email protected].