Request Street Tree Planting & Replacement - Seattle

Land Use and Zoning Washington 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Washington

Seattle, Washington residents can request street tree planting or replacement when trees are missing, damaged, or required by city planting plans. Street trees in Seattle are managed by city urban forestry programs and may be subject to municipal code and permit rules; to start a request you should contact the city office that manages public trees and follow the official process below.

Contact the city early to confirm whether the tree is on public property and eligible for a city planting.

Who is responsible

The City of Seattle departments that commonly handle street tree planting and replacement are Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Urban Forestry and Seattle Parks and Recreation for certain planting programs; permitting or enforcement actions may reference Seattle municipal code or administrative rules. For departmental program details and service requests see the SDOT Urban Forestry program page SDOT Trees & Street Forests[1] and the Seattle Municipal Code index for city ordinances Seattle Municipal Code[2].

Typical eligibility and scope

  • Request covers planting of new street trees on city rights-of-way or replacement of city-managed trees.
  • Requests may require site assessment to confirm utilities, clearances, and suitable soil or tree pit conditions.
  • Large-scale replacements tied to construction, sidewalk work, or capital projects follow permitting and coordination rules.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of rules for street trees and related permits is handled by the appropriate city department (for example SDOT or Seattle Parks) or by municipal code enforcement where violations occur. Exact fine amounts and escalation schedules are not specified on the cited program pages; consult the municipal code or enforcement pages for detailed penalties.[2]

If a tree on public property is removed without approval, the city may require replacement or remediation.
  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; check municipal code sections for precise amounts and daily rates.[2]
  • Escalation: first or repeat offence escalation is not specified on the cited page; municipal code or department enforcement rules must be consulted.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: replacement orders, stop-work orders, or court actions may be applied depending on the violation (not fully specified on the cited page).
  • Enforcer and complaints: contact SDOT Urban Forestry or the listed enforcement office via the official department contact page to file a complaint or request inspection.[1]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are governed by applicable municipal code or permit appeal procedures and are not specified on the cited program page.[2]

Applications & Forms

The city provides program pages and online service requests for street tree planting through department portals; specific form names, permit numbers, fees, and deadlines are not listed on the SDOT program overview and must be obtained from the department contact or municipal code pages.[1][2]

How to request planting or replacement

Follow these steps to file a request, obtain site assessment, and track outcomes.

  1. Confirm ownership: verify the tree location is on city right-of-way or public property by contacting SDOT Urban Forestry or using city mapping tools.
  2. Submit a service request: use the department's service request portal or designated form to request planting or replacement; include photos and address.
  3. Site assessment: the city schedules an inspection to assess utilities, clearances, and planting feasibility.
  4. Approval and scheduling: if approved, the city or an authorized contractor schedules planting; fees or cost-sharing will be specified if applicable.
Keep photos and correspondence to help track the request and support any appeal.

FAQ

Can I plant a street tree myself?
Planting on city right-of-way generally requires city approval or a permit; contact SDOT Urban Forestry to confirm requirements and whether private planting is allowed.
Who pays for replacement trees?
Responsibility for costs depends on the program or permit; the SDOT program page and municipal code are the authoritative sources for fees and exceptions.[1][2]
How long does a request take?
Timelines vary by season, staffing, and site conditions; the program pages do not list a guaranteed schedule and you should ask the department for current lead times.[1]

How-To

  1. Gather the address, photos, and a short description of the issue or request.
  2. Visit the SDOT Urban Forestry program page to find the contact or service request link and submit your request.[1]
  3. Track confirmation and schedule; reply to any city requests for more information.
  4. If denied or if enforcement is needed, ask the department for appeal instructions and applicable municipal code references.

Key Takeaways

  • SDOT Urban Forestry is the primary contact for street tree planting requests in Seattle.
  • Permit, fee, and enforcement details should be confirmed with the department or municipal code.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] SDOT Trees & Street Forests program
  2. [2] Seattle Municipal Code

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