Seattle, WA: Tree Service Ordinance
Policy Title: Tree service provider registration
Year Adopted: 2022
City: Seattle, WA
Main Citation: Seattle Code 25.11.095
Description:
Prior to 2022, the City of Seattle lacked city-wide arborist registration requirements, resulting in tree loss and damage to the urban canopy. Sponsored by Councilmembers Dan Strauss and Alex Pedersen, the Seattle City Council approved an ordinance adding a tree service provider registration procedure and requirement.
The ordinance establishes an application process for tree service providers operating within the City of Seattle and a public registry. Each applicant must meet a specific set of requirements, including possessing a current and valid Seattle business license and having at least one employee who is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist. After acceptance into the registry, the registration will last for one year, requiring providers to renew annually.
At the time of this ordinance, public notice requirements stated that the provider must post signage at least three days in advance of conducting any commercial tree work in a safe and publicly visible location with details of the provider’s registration. However, new provisions went into effect in April 2023, adjusting this requirement. Now, a notice must be physically posted at the site only during the time the provider is conducting work and five days after the work is completed. Prior notice is now only available online on the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections’ (SDCI) website. Later that year, the 2023 Tree Protection Ordinance was approved, which included increased penalties for illegal street cutting and unregistered tree service providers.
Additional Resources:
Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections: Trees & Codes
Building Connections: “Updates to Seattle Tree Service Provider Regulations”
Office of the City Clerk Ordinance Information
The Urbanist: “Seattle Tightens Regulations on Tree Service Providers”