The checker above walks through the same questions Kirkland’s planners ask. It runs in your browser and sends nothing anywhere. Below is the logic behind it, so you can see why you got your answer.
The order Kirkland applies the rules
- Is it a regulated tree? Under 6” DBH, the tree code generally does not apply (except in protected areas).
- Whose tree is it? Street and park trees have their own public permit.
- Is it an emergency? Imminent risk lets you act first and report within 7 days.
- Is anything special about the lot or tree? Any one of these rules out the free notification:
- a mapped critical area or its buffer: wetland, stream, landslide hazard
- the shoreline setback along Lake Washington
- the Holmes Point Overlay on Finn Hill
- a recorded Tree Preservation Covenant, Grove Covenant or Native Growth Protection Easement
- a new house built on the lot in the last 5 years
- trees that were planted or kept as required landscaping (common on multifamily and commercial sites)
- a hedge
- Is it a Landmark (26”+)? Landmark trees always need a permit, even inside the allowance.
- Are you inside the allowance? Count removals in the past 12 months and the trees that will remain.
The allowance, worked through
| Lot size | Removals per 12 months | Must keep at least |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 sq ft | 2 | 2 regulated trees |
| 10,001–20,000 sq ft | 3 | 3 regulated trees |
| Over 20,000 sq ft | 4 | 4 regulated trees |
Example. A 9,000 sq ft Kingsgate lot with five firs. You took one fir down last March with a notification. This November you want two more gone. The first is removal #2 in 12 months and leaves three trees: notification. The second would be #3, over the limit of 2, so it waits until March or must qualify as a hazard or nuisance tree under a permit.
Measuring your tree in 30 seconds
Wrap a soft tape around the trunk at 4.5 feet (54 inches) above the ground. Divide the circumference by 3.14. A trunk measuring 82 inches around is about 26.1 inches across, which makes it a Landmark tree. One that measures 19 inches around is just over 6 inches and is regulated.
Close to 26 inches? Measure carefully on the uphill side if the tree is on a slope, and have the arborist confirm. The difference between 25 and 26 inches is the difference between a free notification and a $300 permit with three replacement trees.
What to have ready before you submit
- Your parcel address and lot size (King County parcel viewer or your closing papers)
- A rough site sketch showing the tree, the house and property lines
- The species and DBH of each tree you plan to remove
- Dates of any removals in the past 12 months
- For a permit: the arborist report and a replanting plan
Checker says permit? We can help you line up the arborist report.
(425) 000-0000Common questions
Is the Kirkland tree removal notification really free?
Yes. The Tree Removal Notification has no fee. You submit it on mybuildingpermit.com before removing the tree, and it only works inside your yearly allowance and when no special condition applies to the lot or tree.
Does this checker replace the city's Tree Permit Guide?
No. It follows the same rules in plain language so you know what to expect. The City of Kirkland's interactive guide at kirklandwa.gov/treepermitguide and its planners at 425-587-3600 have the final word on your parcel.
What counts as a regulated tree?
Any tree 6 inches or wider in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. For a tree with several trunks, measure each stem of 3 inches or more and combine them: square each one, add them up, and take the square root.