Tacoma, WA · Pierce County
Tree removal in Tacoma
In Tacoma, any pruning, removal or planting of a street tree in the public right-of-way needs a Right-of-Way Tree (RTRE) permit from the city. Pruning permits are free and only the adjacent property owner or their designee can apply; removals must fit an approved category, such as a hazardous tree. Trees on private lots outside the right-of-way follow different rules.
Tacoma consolidated its rules for trees in the right-of-way into a single Urban Forestry Code, Tacoma Municipal Code 9.20, with updates effective June 1, 2024. Before any work on a street tree, a property owner or contractor needs a Right-of-Way Tree permit. Most RTRE permit types are free; a canopy loss fee applies only when removing a healthy "conflict" tree.
Like the rest of Puget Sound, Tacoma's emergencies come from winter windstorms on saturated soil, when tall Douglas-firs and bigleaf maples come down on houses and lines. Tacoma Public Utilities serves much of the city's power.
Reviewed and updated
Permits, windstorms and slopes
RTRE permits
Required for any street-tree pruning, removal or planting.
Winter windstorms
Big conifers uproot on soaked soil from November to February.
Steep slopes
Gulches and bluffs above Commencement Bay and the Narrows complicate removals.
Tall conifers near houses
Douglas-firs and cedars crowd older neighborhoods.
Douglas-firs, maples, cedars and Garry oaks
- Douglas-fir
- Tall; windthrow on wet soil
- Bigleaf maple
- Heavy limbs; ice and wind breakage
- Western redcedar
- Drought dieback
- Street-tree maples and cherries
- Common right-of-way trees
- Garry oak
- Native Oregon white oak; valued
Tacoma's right-of-way tree permits
- Any work on a street tree (pruning, removal or planting) requires a Right-of-Way Tree (RTRE) permit under Tacoma's Urban Forestry Code, TMC 9.20, updated effective June 1, 2024.
- Pruning permits are free, and only the owner of the property abutting the street tree, or their designee, can apply. Removals must fit an approved category, such as a hazardous tree; a canopy loss fee applies only to conflict trees.
Sources (checked 2026-10-03)
Rules change and details depend on your exact property. Confirm with the city or county before work starts. This isn't legal advice.
How an RTRE permit works
- 1
Confirm it's a street tree
Trees in the planting strip or otherwise in the public right-of-way are covered.
- 2
Apply online
Through the Permit Center; pruning permits are free and limited to the adjacent owner or their designee.
- 3
For removal, show the reason
Hazardous and other approved categories qualify; healthy conflict trees carry a canopy loss fee.
- 4
Hire a qualified crew
Work must follow the permit's conditions and pruning standards.
North End streets, gulches and bluffs
North End and Proctor neighborhoods have older homes with big street trees and planting strips; homes near gulches and bluffs have steep lots where removal needs climbers and rigging rather than lifts.
Before windstorm season
- Have tall conifers with a lean, dead top or fungus at the base assessed in fall.
- Reduce heavy maple limbs over roofs and lines.
- Keep slope trees in place where possible; they hold soil.
Tacoma services
For leaning or decaying conifers.
After winter windstorms.
For tall firs on tight or sloped lots.
For permitted street-tree pruning.
For private trees outside the right-of-way.
Tacoma tree questions
Do I need a permit to prune a street tree in Tacoma?
Yes. A Right-of-Way Tree (RTRE) permit is required, it's free, and only the adjacent property owner or their designee can apply.
Can I remove a street tree in Tacoma?
Only with an RTRE permit, and the tree must fit an approved category, such as being hazardous. A canopy loss fee applies only to healthy conflict trees.
What is TMC 9.20?
Tacoma's Urban Forestry Code, which consolidated the rules for planting, pruning and removing trees in the right-of-way, with updates effective June 1, 2024.
Who do I contact about a Tacoma tree permit?
The City's Permit Center at (253) 591-5030 or [email protected].
When do most trees fall in Tacoma?
During winter windstorms from November to February, when soil is saturated and tall conifers uproot.
Do I need a permit for a tree in my Tacoma backyard?
Trees on private property outside the right-of-way follow different rules; development, critical areas and slopes can trigger review. Check with the city if you're near a gulch or bluff.
Calls are routed to independent local tree-service providers. How calling works
More local guides
Need tree help in Tacoma?
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.