17.145.040 Tree retention required.
(1) For all new construction or additions requiring a permit (excluding tenant improvements and single-family homes that are not part of a subdivision given final plat approval within the last three years), no less than 50 percent of significant trees shall be preserved.
(2) Any application for a grading permit, building permit, site development permit, or SEPA for any project not exempted by subsection (1) of this section shall include a tree retention plan that locates all existing significant trees on the site, and delineates which trees are to be retained. A site that contains no significant trees shall not be required to submit a tree retention plan.
(3) In the event that not enough significant trees can be preserved and accommodate a reasonable development plan as determined by the planning director, the applicant may meet the 50 percent tree retention requirement by one or both of the following methods:
(a) Move a significant tree to a perimeter location; and/or
(b) Plant two new trees for each tree removed. Each new tree shall have a minimum diameter of two and one-half inches at breast height (four and one-half feet above grade). If the replaced trees will be used as street trees to meet the requirements of SMC 17.145.080, two two-and-one-half-inch diameter trees may be planted for each significant tree removed. New trees may either be planted on site or off site at a location approved by the planning director. All species of new trees shall be native or approved by the planning director.
(4) Trees located in sensitive areas or their buffers shall not count toward the 50 percent tree retention requirement and shall be left intact.
(5) Significant trees that are located on land to be dedicated to the city as right-of-way may be removed and shall not be counted as significant trees needing replacement for the purposes of this section.
(6) Significant trees shall be protected during development by placing protective fencing around the drip line of the tree.
(7) Significant trees that are retained may be counted toward landscaping requirements. (Ord. 1418 § 17, 2016; Ord. 1398 § 31, 2015; Ord. 1110 § 3, 2002).