Tree removal FAQ: Tacoma, Puyallup & Pierce County

Usually not. The City of Tacoma Tree FAQ says permits are not required to plant or prune trees on private property. Removal needs a permit only if the tree is in a regulated Critical Area (wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat, biodiversity areas, frequently flooded or geologically hazardous areas such as steep slopes, or aquifer recharge areas), or if you're removing it during development in an Urban Residential zone. Unsure? Call Planning & Development Services at (253) 591-5030. Heads-up: Tacoma is drafting private-property tree retention rules for Council consideration in 2027.

That's a street tree in the public right-of-way. Removing or pruning it requires a Tree Work in the Right-of-Way permit under Tacoma Municipal Code 9.20, and replacement planting is a standard condition. In an emergency, notify the City before removal and get the permit within 30 days. For an imminent hazard call (253) 591-5495. Source: Tacoma Permits tip sheet.

Generally not on single-family lots or residential properties with four or fewer units, unless the tree is in a critical area (wetland, steep slope, stream or habitat buffer) or on the city's Heritage Tree list. Commercial and larger multifamily properties must keep trees 15" or larger in diameter unless they're hazardous. Critical-area removals need a certified arborist's tree risk assessment and two replacement trees per tree removed. Questions: trees@puyallupwa.gov. Sources: City of Puyallup; Tree Removal Flow Chart (PDF).

A tree with a trunk 15 inches in diameter or larger, measured 4.5 ft above the ground. Significant trees are not regulated on single-family property or residential property with four units or fewer. Source: City of Puyallup tree FAQ.

Pierce County requires a permit for clearing trees and vegetation (including stumps) over 7,000 sq ft, or over 1 sq ft in a critical area. The county also notes that removing trees with a chain saw is considered logging. Planning & Public Works: (253) 798-4636. Source: Pierce County.

The utility, not a homeowner or regular tree crew. In Tacoma, call the Tacoma Public Utilities Tree Line at (253) 502-8729. In Puyallup, any work within 15 ft of energized lines is done by the power utility. Call PSE at (360) 786-5992. If a line is down, stay far away and call 911.

According to the WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner, homeowner insurance usually covers damage from falling trees, but usually doesn't cover tree removal and cleanup unless the tree fell on your home, garage, car, or another covered structure. Deductibles apply, and a claim can affect your premium or renewal. Check your own policy.

Per the WA Insurance Commissioner, your own homeowner insurer will often pay, minus your deductible, even if it was the neighbor's tree. If you can show the neighbor was at fault, your insurer may recover from the neighbor's insurer, but that can be hard to prove. For a neighbor's tree that's still standing on their private property, the City of Tacoma calls it "a private property issue that should be resolved among neighbors."

Yes. Washington's contractor law (RCW 18.27.010) includes "performing tree removal services" in the definition of a contractor, so tree removal companies must be registered with L&I. Check any company at L&I Verify before hiring. An ISA arborist certification is separate and voluntary, but the City of Tacoma recommends using a certified arborist.

Yes. Stump grinding counts as digging. Call 811 at least two full business days (and no more than ten) before the work so underground utilities can be marked. The locate is free in most places. Source: WA 811.

Major Pacific Northwest windstorms cluster from October through March, with December the most frequent month (Mass & Dotson, Monthly Weather Review). The November 2024 bomb cyclone brought a 74 mph gust to Enumclaw and widespread outages in eastern Pierce County (The News Tribune). See our storm guide.

The City of Tacoma's Urban Forestry program runs a "Stop Tree Topping" campaign because topping harms a tree's health and structure. Ask for proper reduction pruning by a certified arborist instead.

It's free for homeowners. You send a request, we pass it to one independent, L&I-registered tree company that serves your area, and they contact you to quote. The participating company pays us for referrals. We don't do the tree work, and we don't sell your request to multiple companies. Read the full disclosure.