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Tree retention plans and tree work for Kirkland building projects

Building, adding an ADU or short-platting in Kirkland? Tree retention plans, protection fencing, the 12/24-month development hold and what to do in order.

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Tree retention plans and tree work for Kirkland building projects
Code
KZC 95.30 – 95.50
Hold after cutting
12 / 24 months
Additions exempt
under 50% footprint
Conifer credit
1.5 per tree

Kirkland’s tree code bites hardest on building projects: new houses, teardowns, ADUs, short plats and big additions. Done in the wrong order, tree work can freeze your building permit for a year or two. Kirkland Sentinel Tree Care helps owners and builders sequence the trees with the project.

The development hold

The city won’t accept new development permits for a site where healthy trees were removed in the past:

Trees removedHold
Healthy regulated trees (6”+)12 months
Healthy Landmark trees (26”+)24 months
Hazard or nuisance treesNo hold

Additions under 50% of the existing footprint may still be accepted. If you might build within two years, don’t use the homeowner notification to “clear the way”.

When a Tree Retention Plan is needed

Any development that needs a building permit, land surface modification permit, demolition permit, or Design Review / Process I, IIA, IIB approval. The plan follows KZC 95.30–95.50.

What goes in it

  • every regulated tree on the site, plus neighbours’ trees whose root zones reach onto it, numbered and tagged
  • every public right-of-way tree next to the site, any size
  • DBH, species, and viability (combined health and structure rating)
  • critical root zone (CRZ) and the proposed tree protection zone (TPZ) for each tree
  • proposed removals, and potential Landmark trees and groves
  • tree density credits for retained and viable trees; retained conifers count 1.5 credits
  • the High Retention Value Tree checklist
  1. Early arborist visit. Especially if the lot has trees over 26” or groves.
  2. Pre-submittal conference with a planner (optional, recommended): bring the tree inventory.
  3. Design around the best trees. Footprint, driveway, utility routes and staging outside protection zones.
  4. Submit the retention plan and arborist report with the application.
  5. Fence the TPZs to the city’s tree protection fencing detail before any equipment arrives.
  6. Remove approved trees, then build. Replant to meet credits.

Holmes Point Overlay

On Finn Hill, the Holmes Point Overlay (KZC Chapter 70) adds its own development tree protections on top of Chapter 95. See Finn Hill.

Planning a build? Talk trees before you talk demolition.

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Common questions

Can I cut trees before I apply for a building permit in Kirkland?

You can, but it can backfire. Kirkland won't accept new development permits for 12 months after healthy regulated trees are removed, or 24 months for Landmark trees, unless they were hazard or nuisance trees. Plan the trees as part of the project.

When is a Tree Retention Plan required?

For development that needs a building permit, land surface modification permit, demolition permit, or Design Review or Process I, IIA or IIB approval. Small additions and remodels under 50% of the existing footprint, with no work in regulated trees' root zones, may be exempt.

What is a High Retention Value tree?

A tree, usually a Landmark tree or part of a grove of three or more with overlapping canopies, that Kirkland's code expects to be retained where feasible. The city publishes a High Retention Value Tree checklist to submit with development applications.

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