Four rule books.

Olympia

Keep the tree units.

Olympia keeps a minimum tree density: 30 tree units per acre, or the lot-size chart. If the cut drops you below that, apply for a Tree Permit first. Single-family lots not in an HOA may file a Tree Exemption Affidavit plus a tree-unit worksheet to cpdinfo@ci.olympia.wa.us. HOA lots use HOA rules. Hazard trees need a TRAQ arborist assessment for the City Urban Forester. Street trees sit in the right-of-way and need extra paper.

There is a minimum number of tree units you must maintain on your property. If removing a tree will drop you below the requirement, you must first Apply for a Tree Permit.

City of Olympia

• Olympia Urban Forestry
• Tree Permit Checklist (PDF)

Lacey

Permit or exemption first.

Lacey requires a land-clearing permit or a permit exemption before you remove any tree on residential property. Exemption is typical for up to three trees in five years if you keep four trees per 5,000 sq ft. For a hazard tree, the City Arborist must deem it hazardous. Hired contractors need a Lacey endorsement.

Before removing any trees on residential property within the City of Lacey, property owners must obtain a land clearing permit exemption or a land clearing permit.

City of Lacey

• Lacey tree permit
• Lacey 311: land clearing

Tumwater

Tree removal is permit work.

Tumwater lists tree removal and land clearing as permit work. A Letter of Waiver covers six trees or fewer in three consecutive years. More than six dead, diseased, or hazardous trees uses a Land Clearing Exemption with a Forester's Report.

• Tumwater: when do I need a permit
• Tumwater land-clearing document

Unincorporated Thurston

Three permit triggers.

The county names three permit triggers: hazard trees in a designated critical area; cutting to prepare a site for development; cutting trees to sell (DNR). The landowner still has to check critical areas and buffers.

A permit is not required to remove trees within a tree length of an existing, permanent structure if all trees are outside of critical areas and buffers.

Thurston County

• Thurston: converting forest land