City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 12
Chapter 12.02
Section 12.02.960
 

Title 12 Public Ways and Property

Chapter 12.02 Obstruction, Encroachment of Public Ways

Article V. Urban Forestry Program

Section 12.02.960 Tree Permit Required
  1. Pruning and Removal of Trees.

No person may perform major pruning  or cause or authorize any person to prune or remove street trees or trees located in planting strips or other public places without first filing an application and obtaining a street tree pruning/removal permit from the City.

    1. Application Data.

The application must state the location, number, and kind of trees to be pruned or removed; the kind of maintenance or other work to be done; and such other information as the director may find reasonably necessary to a fair determination of whether a permit should be issued.

    1. Standards for Issuance.

The director issues the permit if in his or her judgment the proposed work is consistent with the ordinance and the proposed method and workmanship are satisfactory.

    1. Time.

Any permit issued shall contain a date of expiration and the work must be completed in the time allowed on the permit.

    1. Major Pruning.

The City requires that the pruning be performed by a person licensed by the City pursuant to SMC 10.25.010.

  1. Planting of Trees.

No person may plant a tree in any City rights-of-way without first obtaining a street tree permit from the City.

  1. Notice of Completion.

A notice of work completion concerning tree planting, removal, or major pruning must be given by the permit holder within five days to the director for inspection. Inspection shall be completed within ten working days.

  1. Annual Permit for City Departments and Utilities with Easements or Franchises Within the Rights-of-Way.

City departments and utilities may apply for an annual permit to perform pruning, planting, or removal of street trees. The permit application must include an annual plan that identifies work that will be done during the year. The permit holder must file quarterly reports which will identify all work done on street trees and trees in public places.

  1. Emergency Pruning and Removal.

If immediate removal or major pruning is required to protect the health and safety of the public, tree work to mitigate the immediate hazard may be performed without a permit. The director must be notified on the first working day after the tree work is begun and a permit must be obtained. In the case of a declaration of emergency notification may be made within a reasonable time.

  1. The director may decline to issue a permit, or revoke a permit issued, to any person who refuses or neglects to comply with any of the provisions of this code.

Date Passed: Monday, April 22, 2019

Effective Date: Monday, May 27, 2019

ORD C35758 Section 1