Bridle Trails is horse country inside the city: big lots, paddocks and riding trails, and stands of tall Douglas fir that run straight into Bridle Trails State Park. The neighbourhood straddles the Kirkland–Bellevue line, and the lots are big enough to use parts of Kirkland’s tree code most homeowners never touch.
First: which city?
The park sits between Kirkland and Bellevue, and so does the neighbourhood. Kirkland’s rules apply only to Kirkland parcels. Bellevue has its own significant-tree and Landmark definitions. The King County parcel viewer or your tax statement shows which city you’re in.
Big-lot rules on the Kirkland side
| Rule | Lots over 20,000 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Healthy trees per 12 months (free notification) | 4 |
| Minimum regulated trees to keep | 4 (usually easy here) |
| Landmark trees (26”+) | 1 per 12 months, permit, 3 replacements |
| Significantly wooded, 25,000 sq ft+ | Option: Forest Stewardship Plan permit |
The Forest Stewardship Plan option
For wooded properties of 25,000 sq ft or more, Kirkland offers a Forest Stewardship Plan permit: manage the stand as a whole with a site plan, a reforestation plan and a prescribed maintenance plan, instead of filing tree by tree. It suits owners who want to thin a dense stand, remove declining firs over several years and replant in one coordinated way.
Bridle Trails tree issues
- Edge trees by the park and paddocks: exposed to wind on one side; windthrow in winter storms.
- Root rot pockets: clusters of thinning Douglas firs; one failure often predicts the next.
- Trees over barns and arenas: large roofs, long spans, expensive to repair.
- Trail and driveway clearance: high limbs for horse trailers and fire access.
Working on big lots
Long driveways mean crews can often bring chippers and trucks close, which keeps prices down. Wood is often left as rounds or chips for paddocks and trails. Tell us what you’d like to keep.
Acre lot full of tall firs? Ask about a whole-property plan instead of tree-by-tree.
(425) 000-0000Common questions
Is Bridle Trails in Kirkland or Bellevue?
Both. The Bridle Trails area spans the Kirkland and Bellevue city line around Bridle Trails State Park. Kirkland's tree code applies only to the Kirkland side; Bellevue's rules differ. Check your parcel's jurisdiction first.
How many trees can I remove on a large Bridle Trails lot?
On lots over 20,000 sq ft, Kirkland allows 4 regulated tree removals per 12 months with the free notification, as long as at least 4 regulated trees remain and no special condition applies. Landmark trees (26 inches and up) need a permit.
What is a Forest Stewardship Plan?
A permit option for significantly wooded properties of 25,000 sq ft or more, where the stand is managed as a whole: a site plan, a reforestation plan and a maintenance plan instead of one request per tree.