Climber in a helmet sitting in the fork of a very large trunk with a chainsaw

Emergency Tree Removal · Washington

Emergency Tree Removal in King County, WA

Emergency Tree Removal in King County, WA: if a tree is on your house, across power lines or blocking an exit, get everyone out of the affected area first. Locally, county rules apply only outside cities: King County's clearing rules cover unincorporated areas, such as much of the Snoqualmie Valley, Vashon-Maury Island, Fall City, Hobart and parts of the plateau east of Lake Sammamish.

Tree emergency? Call for assistance

By calling, you agree that your call may be recorded and routed to an independent local tree-service provider, who may call or text you back about your request. Calling is free and does not obligate you to hire anyone. See our Privacy Policy.

Free to call
Independent local providers
You decide

Tree problems in King County, WA that call for emergency tree removal

1
County rules apply only outside cities
King County's clearing rules cover unincorporated areas, such as much of the Snoqualmie Valley, Vashon-Maury Island, Fall City, Hobart and parts of the plateau east of Lake Sammamish. Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Issaquah and the other cities each have their own tree codes, and many require permits for significant trees on private lots.
2
When a King County clearing permit is required
Exemptions are listed in King County Code 16.82.050, and some hazard-tree removals are handled differently from clearing. Processing for a full clearing permit can take around 100 days, so start early if you're planning work rather than responding to an emergency.
3
Steep slopes, wet soil and big conifers
Much of the county's housing sits among tall Douglas-fir, western redcedar and western hemlock, often on slopes. Winter windstorms arrive on saturated ground, which is when large conifers uproot. Trees on steep slopes also hold soil in place, which is why the county regulates removal there: taking out the wrong trees can increase landslide and erosion risk.
4
Windstorm season
Most King County tree emergencies come with fall and winter windstorms from November to February, when Pacific storms push gusts over soaked soil. Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light own the lines across most of the county; any tree on a line goes to the utility first.

What emergency tree removal covers

If a tree is on your house, across power lines or blocking an exit, get everyone out of the affected area first.

How emergency tree removal works, step by step · part of tree removal

Describe the tree and what it's near, and you'll reach an independent provider serving King County, WA.

Call about a tree emergency

Safety first in King County, WA

Stay well away from any downed wire and anything touching it. Call 911 for injuries or lines down, then the utility.

What you can safely do

Get people and pets out of rooms under or near the tree.
Shut off gas at the meter if you smell gas, and leave the house.
Photograph the scene from a safe distance before anything is moved.
Call your insurer early. Many policies want to know before major work.

Leave these to professionals

Never go near or touch a tree that's touching a wire. Treat every line as live.
Don't try to cut a tree off a roof yourself. The weight can shift without warning.
Don't stand under hanging or cracked limbs to look at the damage.
Don't let anyone pressure you into signing a contract or assigning insurance benefits at the door.

King County, WA at a glance

County permit: Clearing and grading permit, King County Code Title 16 and 21A
Critical areas: Steep slopes, wetlands, streams and their buffers
Rural land: Clearing over 7,000 sq ft on RA-zoned property
Timber: Removing 5,000 board feet of merchantable timber
Cities: Seattle, Bellevue, Sammamish, Kirkland and others set their own tree rules

Local sources for King County, WA

What affects the price of emergency tree removal in King County, WA

The usual drivers are size, access, what's under the tree and cleanup; see the full list for emergency tree removal.

Emergency Tree Removal in King County, WA: common questions

County rules apply only outside cities: what does it mean for emergency tree removal in King County, WA?

King County's clearing rules cover unincorporated areas, such as much of the Snoqualmie Valley, Vashon-Maury Island, Fall City, Hobart and parts of the plateau east of Lake Sammamish. Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Issaquah and the other cities each have their own tree codes, and many require permits for significant trees on private lots.

When a King County clearing permit is required: what does it mean for emergency tree removal in King County, WA?

Exemptions are listed in King County Code 16.82.050, and some hazard-tree removals are handled differently from clearing. Processing for a full clearing permit can take around 100 days, so start early if you're planning work rather than responding to an emergency.

Steep slopes, wet soil and big conifers: what does it mean for emergency tree removal in King County, WA?

Much of the county's housing sits among tall Douglas-fir, western redcedar and western hemlock, often on slopes. Winter windstorms arrive on saturated ground, which is when large conifers uproot. Trees on steep slopes also hold soil in place, which is why the county regulates removal there: taking out the wrong trees can increase landslide and erosion risk.

County permit: what it means for emergency tree removal in King County, WA?

Clearing and grading permit, King County Code Title 16 and 21A

Critical areas: what it means for emergency tree removal in King County, WA?

Steep slopes, wetlands, streams and their buffers

Other tree services in King County, WA

Emergency Tree Removal nearby

More about King County, WA: tree removal in King County, WA · all locations

Need emergency tree removal in King County, WA?

Call to reach an independent tree-service provider that serves King County, WA. Calling is free and you decide whether to hire anyone.

Call for tree service