HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 4220
ORDINANCE NO. 4220
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE CITY’S TREE
REGULATIONS AND TREE FUND PROVISIONS
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has been reviewing draft tree regulations since September
2020, specifically at the September 9, October 14, October 28, November 12, and November 18
Planning Board meetings; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board held a public hearing on the draft tree regulations on
December 9, 2020 and completed its review on January 13, 2021 with a recommendation to the
City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council received an introduction to the draft tree regulations at the
January 26, 2021 Council meeting and held a public hearing on February 2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance 4218 containing the above-referenced
tree regulations, with several amendments, on March 2, 2021, while still intending to make
additional tree code amendments in the weeks to follow, as there was not enough time on March
2, 2021 to consider all of the City Council’s amendments; and
WHEREAS, adoption of Ordinance 4218 on March 2, 2021, even with the knowledge that
additional amendments would be forthcoming, made sense as Ordinance 4218 was still a
significant improvement over the code that it would be replacing; and
WHEREAS, since March 2, 2021, the administration has worked with members of the City
Council to review and comment on additional proposed tree code amendments; and
WHEREAS, since March 2, 2021, the City Council has considered additional proposed
tree code amendments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is now prepared to adopt the remaining tree code
amendments that it did not have time to consider on March 2, 2021;
NOW, THEREFORE,
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BY
JEFF TARADAY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: April 12, 2021
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: April 13, 2021
PUBLISHED: April 16, 2021
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 22, 2021
ORDINANCE NO. 4220
ATTACHMENTA
AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page1of15
DraftTreeRelatedRegulations
23.10.000IntentandPurpose
23.10.010AdministrationAuthority
23.10.020Definitions
23.10.030Permits
23.10.040Exemptions
23.10.050TreeRemovalProhibited
23.10.060TreeRetentionAssociatedwithDevelopmentActivity
23.10.070TreeProtectionMeasuresDuringDevelopment
23.10.080TreeReplacement
23.10.085ProtectedTreesNoticeonTitle
23.10.090Bonding
23.10.100Violation,EnforcementandPenalties
23.10.110Liability
20.75.048ConservationSubdivisionDesignFlexibility
Chapter3.95TreeFund
23.10.000IntentandPurpose
Thepurposeofthischapteristoestablishaprocessandstandardstoprovidefortheevaluation,
protection,enhancement,preservation,replacement,andpropermaintenanceofsignificanttrees.This
includesthefollowing:
A. ImplementthegoalsandobjectivesoftheCity’sUrbanForestManagementPlan;
B. ImplementthegoalsandobjectivesoftheCity’sComprehensivePlan;
C. ImplementthegoalsandobjectivesoftheCity’sClimateActionPlan;
D. Preserve,throughdesignandintention,wildlifecorridorsandhabitat;
E. Topromotethepublichealth,safety,biodiversity,environmentalhealthandgeneralwelfareofthe
residentsofEdmonds,providegreenhousegasemissionsmitigationandpreservethephysicaland
aestheticcharacterofthecitythroughthepreventionofindiscriminateremovalordestructionof
treesandgroundcoveronimprovedorpartiallyimprovedproperty;
F. Preservethemaximumnumberoftreesthataredeterminedtobeappropriateforpreservationin
theEdmondsurbanenvironmentandthathaveareasonablechanceoflongͲtermsurvival;
G. Promotesiteplanning,building,anddevelopmentpracticesthatworktoavoidremovalor
destructionoftreesandvegetation,thatavoidunnecessarydisturbancetotheCity’snatural
vegetation,andthatprovidelandscapingtobuffertheeffectsofbuiltandpavedareas;
H. Encouragetreeretentioneffortsbyprovidingdesignflexibilitywithrespecttocertaindevelopment
requirements;
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I. Retainasmanyviabletreesaspossibleonadevelopingsitewhilestillallowingthedevelopment
proposaltomoveforwardinatimelymannerandreplantingwhentreesareremovedduringof
development.
J. Promotebuildingandsiteplanningpracticesthatareconsistentwiththecity’snaturaltopographic
andvegetationfeatureswhilerecognizingthatcertainfactorssuchascondition(e.g.,disease,
dangeroffalling,etc.),proximitytoexistingandproposedstructuresandimprovements,
interferencewithutilityservices,andtherealizationofareasonableenjoymentofpropertymay
requiretheremovalofcertaintreesandgroundcover;and
K. Mitigatetheenvironmentalandaestheticconsequencesoftreeremovalinlanddevelopment
throughonͲsiteandoffͲsitetreereplacementtohelpachieveagoalofnonetlossoftreecanopy
coveragethroughouttheCityofEdmonds;
K.L. Promotenetecologicalgain,astandardforadevelopmentproject,policy,plan,oractivityinwhich
theimpactsontheecologicalintegritycausedbythedevelopmentareoutweighedbymeasures
takenconsistentwiththenewmitigationhierarchytoavoidandminimizetheimpacts,undertake
siterestoration,andcompensateforanyremainingimpactsinanamountsufficientforthegainto
exceedtheloss.
23.10.010AdministeringAuthority
Thedevelopmentservicesdirector(“director”)oradesigneeshallhavetheauthorityandresponsibility
toadministerandenforceallprovisionsofthischapter.
23.10.020Definitions
A. Caliper–TheAmericanAssociationofNurserymenstandardfortrunkmeasurementofnursery
stock.Caliperofthetrunkshallbethetrunkdiametermeasuredsix(6)inchesabovethegroundfor
uptoandincluding4Ͳinchcalipersizeand12inchesabovethegroundforlargersizes.
B. Canopy–Theleavesandbranchesofatreefromthelowestbranchonthetrunktothetop.
C. CriticalRootZoneͲTheareasurroundingatreeatadistancefromthetrunk,whichisequaltoone
(1)footforeveryone(1)inchoftreeDBH.
D. DevelopableSite–Thegrosssiteareaofalotminuscriticalareasandbuffers.
E. DiameteratBreastHeight(DBH)ͲThediameterorthicknessofatreetrunkmeasuredat4.5feet
fromtheground.DBHisalsoknownasDiameteratStandardHeight(DSH).
F. DriplineͲThedistancefromthetreetrunk,thatisequaltothefurthestextentofthetree’scrown.
G. HazardtreeͲAtreethatisdead,dying,diseased,damaged,structurallydefectiveorexposedby
recentremovalofadjacenttreeswhichmakesitsubjecttoahighprobabilityoffailureas
determinedbyaqualifiedtreeprofessional.
H. Grove–Agroupofthree(3)ormoresignificanttreeswithoverlappingortouchingcrowns.
I. Improvedlot–meansmeanalotorparceloflanduponwhichastructure(s)islocated,andwhich
cannotbefurthersubdividedpursuanttocitysubdivisionregulationsandzoningcode.
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J. Limitsofdisturbancemeanstheboundarybetweentheareaofminimumprotectionaroundatree
andtheallowablesitedisturbance.
K. NativeTree–NativetreesaredescribedintheUrbanForestManagementPlan(UFMP)asbeing
wellͲsuitedtoourclimateandtendingtoprovidegoodhabitatforlocalwildlife.TheUFMPcontains
apartiallistofspeciesthatareconsiderednativetrees.
L. NuisanceTree–isatreethatiscausingsignificantphysicaldamagetoaprivateorpublicstructures
and/orinfrastructure,includingbutnotlimitedto:sidewalk,curb,road,waterorseweror
stormwaterutilities,driveway,parkinglot,buildingfoundation,orroof.
M. ProtectedTree–Atreeidentifiedforretentionandprotectiononanapprovedtreeretentionand
protectionplan,replacementinrelationtoapermitorplan,and/orpermanentlyprotectedby
easement,tract,orcovenantrestriction.
N. PruningͲmeanstheproperremovalofrootsorbranchesofatreeaccordingtotheAmerican
NationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI)A300pruningstandards.
O. Qualifiedprofessional–Anindividualwithrelevanteducationandtraininginarboricultureorurban
forestry,havingtwo(2)ormoreofthefollowingcredentials:
1. InternationalSocietyofArboriculture(ISA)CertifiedArborist;
2. TreeRiskAssessmentQualification(TRAQ)asestablishedbytheISATRAQ(orequivalent);
3. AmericanSocietyofConsultingArborists(ASCA)registeredConsultingArborist;
4. SocietyofAmericanForesters(SAF)CertifiedForesterforForestManagementPlans;
Fortreeretentionassociatedwithadevelopmentpermit,aqualifiedprofessionalmusthave,in
additiontotheabovecredentials,aminimumofthree(3)years’experienceworkingdirectlywith
theprotectionoftreesduringconstructionandhaveexperiencewiththelikelihoodoftreesurvival
afterconstruction.Aqualifiedprofessionalmustalsobeabletoprescribeappropriatemeasuresfor
thepreservationoftreesduringlanddevelopment.
P. SignificantTree–Atreethatisatleastsix(6)inchesindiameteratbreastheight(DBH)asmeasured
at4.5feetfromtheground.FortreeswithmultipleleadersatfourandoneͲhalf(4.5)feetheight,
theDBHshallbethecombinedcumulativetotalofbranchesgreaterthansix(6)inchesdiameterat
fourandoneͲhalf(4.5)feetabovetheaveragegrade.Ifatreehasbeenremovedandonlythestump
remainsthatisbelowfourandoneͲhalf(4.5)feettall,thesizeofthetreeshallbethediameterof
thetopofthestump.
Q. SpecimenTree–Atreeofexceptionalsizeorformforitsspeciesorrarityasdeterminedbythe
city’squalifiedtreeprofessional..
R. TreeͲmeansaselfͲsupportingwoodyplantcharacterizedbyonemaintrunkor,forcertainspecies,
multipletrunks,thatisrecognizedasatreeinthenurseryandarboriculturalindustries.
S. TreeFund–referstothefundcreatedbyChapter3.95ECC.
T. Treeremoval–meansthedirectorindirectremovalofatree(s)orvegetationthroughactions
including,butnotlimitedto:clearing,cutting,girdling,topping,orcausingirreversibledamageto
rootsorstems;destroyingthestructuralintegrityoftreesthroughimproperpruning,unlesspruning
backtothepointwherethetreehasbeenpreviouslytopped;poisoning;filling,excavating,grading,
ortrenchingwithinthedriplinethatresultsinthelossofmorethan20percentofthetree’sroot
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system;ortheremovalthroughanyoftheseprocessesofgreaterthan50percentofthelivecrown
ofthetree.
U. TreetoppingͲThesignificantcuttingbackoftheleaderstemormajorbranches,resultingin
severelyalteringthegrowthpotentialofatree.Thisdefinitiondoesnotapplywhenthesole
purposeistocreateasnagorsnagsforwildlifehabitat.
V. ViabletreeͲAsignificanttreethataqualifiedprofessionalhasdeterminedtobeingoodhealth,
withalowriskoffailureduetostructuraldefects,iswindfirmifisolatedorremainsaspartofa
grove,andisaspeciesthatissuitableforitslocation.
23.10.030Permits
A. Applicability:Nopersonshallremove,excessivelyprune,ortopanysignificanttreeexceptas
providedbythischapter.
B. Treeremovalnotspecificallyexemptedinsection23.10.040willbeprocessedasaTypeIpermit.
C. Proceduralexemption.Treeremovalassociatedwithbuildingpermit,subdivision,orotherlanduse
approvalwillbereviewedwiththeassociatedprojectandwillnotrequireaseparatetreeremoval
permit.Allclearingshallbeconsistentwithandapplythestandardsestablishedbythischapter.
23.10.040Exemptions
Thefollowingactivitiesareexemptfromtheprovisionsofthischapteranddonotrequireapermit:
A. RemovaloftreesonanimprovedsingleͲfamilylot,exceptfor:
1. Thatportionofthepropertycontainingacriticalareaoritsassociatedbuffer.Criticalareain
thiscontextdoesnotincludeerosionhazardswithslopeslessthan25percent.
B. RemovalofnonͲsignificanttreesthatarenotprotectedbyanyothermeans.
C. Removaloftreesbythepublicworksdepartment,parksdepartment,firedepartmentandor
franchisedutilitiesforoneofthefollowingpurposes:
1. InstallationandmaintenanceofpublicutilitiesormotorizedornonͲmotorizedstreetsorpaths.
2. Inresponsetosituationsinvolvingdangertolifeorproperty,substantialfirehazards,or
interruptionofservicesprovidedbyautility.
FranchisedutilitiesshallprovidenotificationtotheCitypriortotreemaintenanceorremoval.A
separaterightͲofͲwaypermitmayberequired.
D. RemovalandmaintenanceoftreeswithinCityofEdmonds’parksatthedirectionoftheParks
Department.
E. Routinelandscapingandmaintenanceofvegetation,suchaspruningandplanting,removalof
invasive/exoticspecies,managementofbrushandseedlingtrees.PruningshouldcomplywithANSI
A300(Part1–2017),Tree,ShrubandOtherWoodyPlantManagement–StandardPractices,to
maintainlongtermhealth.Thisincludesmaintenanceoftreesandvegetationrequiredtobe
retainedorplantedundertheprovisionsoftheEdmondsCommunityDevelopmentCode.Pruning
existingtreesbacktothepointwheretheyhavebeenpreviouslytoppedisconsideredmaintenance
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forthesetreesaloneprovidedpruningwillbeundertakenonlytotheextentnecessaryforpublic
safetyortreehealth.
F. TreesthatdonotmeettheexemptionsinsubsectionsAthroughEofthissectionmayberemoved
withsupportingdocumentation:
a. Nuisancetreewithdocumentationofthedamageandanytreeworkthathasbeenattempted
torectifythenuisance,and/orastatementfromtheapplicant’squalifiedtreeprofessional
explainingwhynoarboriculturalpracticescansafelyrectifythenuisance.
b. Hazardtreelocatedoutsideacriticalareawithatreeriskassessmentpreparedbytheapplicants
qualifiedprofessionaldocumentinghowthetreemeetsthedefinitionofahazardtree.
c. Hazardtreeremovalinacriticalareaorcriticalareabuffersconsistentwiththerequirementsof
ECDC23.40.220.C.8.
23.10.050TreeRemovalProhibited
A. ProtectedTrees:Removalofprotectedtreesisprohibited,exceptasprovidedforinECDC
23.10.040.EHazardandNuisanceTrees,orthroughanapprovedmodificationofaLandscapePlan.
B. VacantLots:Removaloftreesfromavacantlotpriortoaprojectdevelopmentisprohibitedexcept
asprovidedforinECDC23.10.040.F,hazardandnuisancetrees.
C. DemolitionofStructures:Treeremovalshallbeprohibitedaspartofapermitteddemolitionexcept
asrequiredtoreasonablyconductdemolitionactivitiessubjecttoapprovalofthedirector.Tree
replacementmayshallberequiredforremovedtrees.
D. Incriticalareas,criticalareabuffers,andinallnativegrowthprotectioneasements,treeremovalis
prohibitedexceptasallowedperChapters23.40–23.90ECDC.
23.10.060TreeRetentionAssociatedwithDevelopmentActivity
A. Introduction.TheCity’sobjectiveistoretainasmanyviabletreesaspossibleonadevelopingsite
whilestillallowingthedevelopmentproposaltomoveforwardinatimelymanner.Tothatend,the
Cityrequiresapprovalofatreeretentionandprotectionplaninconjunctionwiththefollowing
applications:
1. Shortsubdivision
2. Subdivision
3. NewmultiͲfamilydevelopment
4. NewsingleͲfamilydevelopmentonavacantlotorademolitionandreplacementofasingleͲ
familyhouse,and
5. AnytreeremovalondevelopedsitesnotexemptedbyECDC23.10.040.
Inordertomakebetterdecisionsabouttreeretention,particularlyduringallstagesof
development,treeretentionandprotectionplanswillrequirespecificinformationaboutthe
existingtreesbeforeremovalisallowed.Specifictreeretentionandprotectionplanreview
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AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page6of15
standardsprovidedinthissectionestablishtreeretentionpriorities,incentives,andvariationsto
developmentstandardsinordertofacilitatepreservationofviabletrees.
B. TreeRetentionandProtectionPlan
1. AnapplicantforadevelopmentidentifiedinsubsectionAmustsubmitatreeretentionand
protectionplanthatcomplieswiththissection.Aqualifiedprofessionalmayberequiredto
preparecertaincomponentsofatreeretentionandprotectionplanattheapplicant’sexpense.
2. TreeRetentionandProtectionPlanComponents.Thetreeretentionandprotectionplanshall
containthefollowinginformation,unlesswaivedbythedirector:
a. Atreeinventorycontainingthefollowing:
i. Anumbersystemofallexistingsignificanttreesonthesubjectproperty(with
correspondingtagsontrees);
ii. Size(DBH)andestimatedtreecrowndiameter;
iii. Proposedtreestatus(treestoberemovedorretained);
iv. Briefgeneralhealthorconditionratingoftrees(i.e.:poor,fair,good,excellent,etc.)
v. Treetypeorspecies.
b. Asiteplandepictingthefollowing:
i. Locationofallproposedimprovements,includingbuildingfootprint,access,utilities,
applicablesetbacks,criticalareas,buffers,andrequiredlandscapedareasclearly
identified.Ifashortsubdivisionorsubdivisionisbeingproposedandthelocationofall
proposedimprovementshasnotyetbeenestablished,aphasedtreeretentionand
protectionplanreviewisrequiredasdescribedinsubsection(3)(a)ofthissection;
ii. Accuratelocationofsignificanttreesonthesubjectpropertyandadjacentproperties
wherethecanopyand/orcriticalrootzoneofadjacentsignificanttreesextendontothe
subjectproperty(surveyedlocationsmayberequired).
iii. Treeslabeledcorrespondingtothetreeinventorynumberingsystem;
iv. Locationoftreeprotectionmeasures;
v. Indicatelimitsofdisturbancedrawntoscalearoundalltreespotentiallyimpactedby
sitedisturbancesresultingfromgrading,demolition,orconstructionactivities;
vi. Proposedtreestatus(treestoberemovedorretained)notedbyan‘X’orbyghosting
out;
vii. ProposedlocationsofanyrequiredreplacementtreesasoutlinedinECDC23.10.080
andtreesrequiredtobeplantedinaccordancewithECDC23.10.060.C.5.Where
replacementtreesareproposedtobeplantedatadifferentlocationthantheproject
site,adescriptionofthealternatesiteandwrittenapprovalfromthepropertyowner
mustbeprovided.
c. Anarboristreportcontainingthefollowing:
i. Acompletedescriptionofeachtree’shealth,condition,andviability;
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ii. Adescriptionofthemethod(s)usedtodeterminethelimitsofdisturbance(i.e.,critical
rootzone,rootplatediameter,oracaseͲbyͲcasebasisdescriptionforindividualtrees);
iii. Anyspecialinstructionsspecificallyoutlininganyworkproposedwithinthelimitsofthe
disturbanceprotectionarea(i.e.,handͲdigging,tunneling,rootpruning,anygrade
changes,clearing,monitoring,andaftercare);
iv. Fortreesnotviableforretention,adescriptionofthereason(s)forremovalbasedon
poorhealth,highriskoffailureduetostructure,defects,unavoidableisolation
(windfirmness),orunsuitabilityofspecies,etc.,andforwhichnoreasonablealternative
actionispossiblemustbegiven(pruning,cabling,etc.);
v. Descriptionoftheimpactofnecessarytreeremovaltotheremainingtrees,including
thoseinagrove;
3. AdditionalTreeRetentionandProtectionPlanStandardsforShortSubdivisionsandSubdivisions
a. PhasedReview
i. Ifduringtheshortsubdivisionorsubdivisionreviewprocessthelocationofallproposed
improvements,includingthebuildingfootprint,utilities,andaccess,havenotyetbeen
established,theapplicantmaysubmitaTreeRetentionandProtectionPlanthat
addressesthecurrentphaseofdevelopmentandlimitsremovaltotheimpactedareas.
ii. AnewTreeRetentionandProtectionPlanshallberequiredateachsubsequentphaseof
theprojectasmoreinformationaboutthelocationoftheproposedimprovementsis
knownsubjecttoalloftherequirementsinthissection.
C. TreeRetentionRequirements
1. GeneralTreeRetentionRequirements:Significanttreesonlotsproposedfordevelopmentor
redevelopmentshallberetainedasfollows:
ECDC23.10.060.CTreeRetentionRequirementsforProposedDevelopment
DevelopmentRetentionRequired
NewsingleͲfamily,shortsubdivision,or
subdivision
30%ofallsignificanttreesinthedevelopable
site
MultiͲfamilydevelopment,unitlotshort
subdivision,orunitlotsubdivision
25%ofallsignificanttreesinthedevelopable
site
2. TreesthatarelocatedwithinNativeGrowthProtectionAreas,criticalareasandtheirassociated
buffers,orthathaveotherwisebeendesignatedforprotectionshallnotberemovedexceptas
provideforECDC23.10.040.EhazardandnuisancetreesandECDC23.40.220.C.8criticalarea
hazardtree.
3. Thedirectormayrequiretheretentionofadditionaltreestomeetthestatedpurposeandintent
ofthischapter,asrequiredbythecriticalarearegulations(Chapters23.40–23.90ECDC),orthe
ShorelineMasterProgram(Title24ECDC)orassiteͲspecificconditionsdemandusingSEPA
substantiveauthority.
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4. InadditiontothetreeretentionrequirementsinsubsectionC.1ofthissection,eEvery
significanttreethatisremovedunderthischaptermustbereplacedconsistentwiththe
requirementsofECDC23.10.080.
5. FordevelopingpropertiesidentifiedinECDC23.10.060.Athathavefewerthanthreesignificant
trees,treesshallberetainedand/orplantedthatwillresultinthesitehavingatleastthree
trees,whichwillbesignificantatmaturity,per8,000squarefeetoflotarea.
D. PriorityofTreeRetentionRequirements:Significanttreestoberetainedshouldberetainedinthe
followingorderofpriority:
1. PriorityOne:
a. Specimentrees;
b. Significanttreeswhichformacontinuouscanopy;
c. Significanttreesonslopegreaterthan15percent;
d. Significanttreesadjacenttocriticalareasandtheirassociatedbuffers;and
e. Significanttreesoversixty(60)feetinheightorgreaterthaneighteen(18)inchesDBH.
2. PriorityTwo:
a. Healthytreegroupingswhoseassociatedundergrowthcanbepreserved;
b. Treeswithintherequiredyardsetbacksoraroundtheperimeter;
c. Treesthathaveascreeningfunctionorproviderelieffromglare,blight,orcommercial
development;
d. Othersignificantnativeevergreenordeciduoustrees;and
e. Othersignificantnonnativetrees.
3. PriorityThree:Aldersandcottonwoodsshallberetainedwhenallothertreeshavebeen
evaluatedforretentionandarenotabletoberetainedexceptwhereadjacenttoopenspace,
wetlandsorcreekbuffers.
E. Inconsideringtreesforretention,applicantsandtheCityshallavoid,totheextentknown,the
selectionoftreesthatmaybecomehazardousbecauseofwindguststhatarematureandmaybea
fallhazard,includingtreesadjacenttoutilitycorridorswherefallingtreesmaycausepoweroutages
orotherdamage.Remainingtreesmaybesusceptibletoblowdownsbecauseoflossofabuffer
fromothertrees,gradechangesaffectingthetreehealthandstability,and/orthepresenceof
buildingsincloseproximityIfarevisedbuildingplacementwouldresultintheretentionofmore
and/orhigherprioritytrees,thedevelopmentplanshouldbeadjustedtomaximizetheretentionof
suchtrees..
23.10.070TreeProtectionMeasuresDuringDevelopment
Priortodevelopmentactivityorinitiatingtreeremovalonthesite,vegetatedareas,individualtreesand
soiltobepreservedinaccordancewithECDC23.10.060.Bshallbeprotectedfrompotentiallydamaging
activitiespursuanttothefollowingstandards:
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A. PreconstructionMeetingRequired.Priortothecommencementofanypermittedclearingand
gradingactivity,apreconstructionmeetingshallbeheldonsitewiththepermitteeandappropriate
Citystaff.Theprojectsiteshallbemarkedinthefieldasfollows
1.Theextentofclearingandgradingtooccur;
2.Delineationandprotectionofanycriticalareasandcriticalareabufferswithclearinglimit
fencing;
3.Flaggingoftreestoberemovedandtagsontreestoberetained;and
4.Propertylines
B. PlacingMaterialsnearTrees.Nopersonmayconductanyactivitywithintheprotectedareaofany
treedesignatedtoremain,including,butnotlimitedto,operatingorparkingequipment,placing
solvents,storingbuildingmaterialorstockpilinganymaterials,ordumpingconcretewashoutor
otherchemicals.Duringconstruction,nopersonshallattachanyobjecttoanytreedesignatedfor
protection.
C. ProtectiveBarrier.Beforedevelopment,landclearing,grading,fillingoranylandalteration,the
applicantshall:
1. Erectandmaintainreadilyvisibletemporaryprotectivetreefencingalongthelimitsof
disturbancewhichcompletelysurroundstheprotectedareaofallretainedtrees,groupsof
trees,vegetationandnativesoil.Treeprotectivefencingshallbeaminimumheightofthree
feet,visibleandofdurableconstruction;orangepolyethylenelaminarfencingisacceptable.
2. Installhighlyvisiblesignsspacednofurtherthan15feetapartalongtheentiretyofthe
protectivetreefencing.Saidsignmustbeapprovedbythedirectorandshallstateataminimum
“TreeandSoilProtectionArea,EntranceProhibited”andprovidetheCityphonenumberfor
codeenforcementtoreportviolations.
3. Prohibitexcavationorcompactionofsoilorotherpotentiallydamagingactivitieswithinthe
barriers;provided,thatthedirectormayallowsuchactivitiesapprovedbyaqualified
professionalandunderthesupervisionofaqualifiedprofessionalretainedandpaidforbythe
applicant.
4. Maintaintheprotectivebarriersinplaceforthedurationoftheprojectuntil
thedirectorauthorizestheirremoval.
5. Ensurethatanyapprovedlandscapingdoneintheprotectedzonesubsequenttotheremovalof
thebarriersshallbeaccomplishedwithmachineryfromoutsidetheprotectedzoneorbyhand.
6. Limitthetimeperiodthatthecriticalrootzoneiscoveredbymulch,plywood,steelplatesor
similarmaterials,orbylightsoils,toprotectthetreescriticalrootzone.
6.7. Inadditiontotheabove,thedirectormayrequirethefollowing:
a. Ifequipmentisauthorizedtooperatewithintheprotectedzone,thesoilandcriticalroot
zoneofatreemustbecoveredwithmulchtoadepthofatleastsix(6)inchesorwith
plywood,steelplatesorsimilarmaterialinordertoprotectrootsandsoilfromdamage
causedbyheavyequipment.
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b. MinimizerootdamagebyhandͲexcavatinga2ͲfootͲdeeptrench,atedgeofcriticalroot
zone,tocleanlysevertherootsoftreestoberetained.Neverriporshredrootswithheavy
equipment.
c. Correctivepruningperformedonprotectedtreesinordertoavoiddamagefrommachinery
orbuildingactivity.
d. Maintenanceoftreesthroughoutconstructionperiodbywateringandfertilizing.
D. Grade.
1. Thegradeshallnotbeelevatedorreducedwithinthecriticalrootzoneoftreestobepreserved
withoutthedirector’sauthorizationbasedonrecommendationsfromaqualifiedprofessional.
ThedirectormayallowcoverageofuptooneͲhalf(1/2)oftheareaofthetree’scriticalroot
zonewithlightsoils(noclay)totheminimumdepthnecessarytocarryoutgrading
orlandscapingplans,ifitwillnotimperilthesurvivalofthetree.Aerationdevicesmaybe
requiredtoensurethetree’ssurvival.
2. Ifthegradeadjacenttoapreservedtreeisraisedsuchthatitcouldsloughorerodeintothe
tree’scriticalrootzone,itshallbepermanentlystabilizedtopreventsoilerosionandsuffocation
oftheroots.
3. Theapplicantshallnotinstallanimpervioussurfacewithinthecriticalrootzoneofanytreeto
beretainedwithouttheauthorizationofthedirector.Thedirectormayrequirespecific
constructionmethodsand/oruseofaerationdevicestoensurethetree’ssurvivalandto
minimizethepotentialforrootͲinduceddamagetotheimpervioussurface.
4. Tothegreatestextentpractical,utilitytrenchesshallbelocatedoutsideofthecriticalrootzone
oftreestoberetained.Thedirectormayrequirethatutilitiesbetunneledundertherootsof
treestoberetainedifthedirectordeterminesthattrenchingwouldsignificantlyreducethe
chancesofthetree’ssurvival.
5. Treesandothervegetationtoberetainedshallbeprotectedfromerosionandsedimentation.
Clearingoperationsshallbeconductedsoastoexposethesmallestpracticalareaofsoilto
erosionfortheleastpossibletime.Tocontrolerosion,itisencouragedthatshrubs,ground
coverandstumpsbemaintainedontheindividuallots,wherefeasible.
6. Thedirectormayapprovetheuseofalternativetreeprotectiontechniquesifthosetechniques
provideanequalorgreaterdegreeofprotectionthanthetechniqueslistedinthissubsection.
E. DirectionalFelling.Directionalfellingoftreesshallbeusedtoavoiddamagetotreesdesignatedfor
retention.
F. AdditionalRequirements.Thedirectormayrequireadditionaltreeprotectionmeasuresthatare
consistentwithacceptedurbanforestryindustrypractices.
23.10.080TreeReplacement
A. Replacementrequired.Treereplacementisrequiredfortreecuttingpermitsrequiredbythis
chapterand/orfortreeremovalassociatedwiththedevelopmenttypesidentifiedinECDC
23.10.060.A.Eachsignificanttreetoberemovedshallbereplacedasfollows:
ATTACHMENTA
AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page11of15
1. Foreachsignificanttreebetween6inchesand10inchesDBHremoved,one(1)replacement
treeisrequired.
2. Foreachsignificanttreebetween10.1inchesand14inchesinDBHremoved,two(2)
replacementtreesarerequired.
3. Foreachsignificanttreegreaterthan14inchesandlessthe24inchesinDBHremoved,three(3)
replacementtreesarerequired.
B. Notreereplacementisrequiredinthefollowingcases:
1. Thetreeishazardous,dead,diseased,injured,orinadecliningconditionwithnoreasonable
assuranceofregainingvigor,forreasonsnotattributabletothedevelopment..
2. Thetreeisproposedtoberelocatedtoanothersuitableplantingsite,providedthatrelocation
complieswiththestandardsinthissection.
C. Priortoanytreeremoval,theapplicantshalldemonstratethroughatreeprotectionand
replacementplan,criticalareamitigationplan,orotherplansacceptabletothedirectorthattree
replacementwillmeettheminimumstandardsofthissection.
D. ReplacementSpecifications.
1. Minimumsizesforreplacementtreesshallbe:
a. oneͲandͲoneͲhalfͲinchcaliperfordeciduoustrees;
b. Sixfeetinheightforevergreentrees.
2. ThedirectormayconsidersmallerͲsizedreplacementtreesiftheapplicantcandemonstratethat
smallertreesaremoresuitedtothespecies,thesiteconditions,andthepurposesofthis
section,andthatsuchtreeswillbeplantedinsufficientquantitiestomeettheintentofthis
section.
3. Replacementtreesshallbeprimarilynativespecies.
4. ReplacementtreesmustbeplantedwithintheCityofEdmondsoritsUrbanGrowthArea.
3.
E. TreeReplacementFeeͲinͲlieu.AfterprovidingcleardocumentationtoDevelopmentServicesthatall
replacementoptionshavebeenconsideredandareinfeasible,includingarboristreportsas
necessary,thedevelopershallpayafeeͲinͲlieuforeachreplacementtreerequiredbutnotreplaced.
AfeeͲinͲlieuoftreereplacementmaybeallowed,subjecttoapprovalbythedirectorafter
considerationofallotheroptions.Atreereplacementfeeshallberequiredforeachreplacement
treerequiredbutnotplantedontheapplicationsiteoranoffͲsitelocation.
1. Theamountofthefeeshallbe$1000multipliedbythenumberoftreesnecessarytosatisfythe
treereplacementrequirementsofthissectionandshallbedepositedintotheCity’sTreeFund.
2. ThefeeshallbepaidtotheCitypriortotheissuanceofatreeremovalpermitorassociated
developmentpermit.
ATTACHMENTA
AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page12of15
2.3. Foreachsignificanttreegreaterthan24”inDBHremoved,afeebasedonanappraisalofthe
treevaluebythecitytreeprotectionprofessionalusingtrunkformulamethodinthecurrent
editionoftheGuideforPlantAppraisalshallberequired.
23.10.085ProtectedTreesNoticeonTitle
Theownerofanypropertythatincludedatree(s)identifiedforretentionandprotectiononanapproved
treeretentionandprotectionplan,replacementinrelationtoapermitorplan,and/orpermanently
protectedbyeasement,tract,orcovenantrestrictionshall,asaconditionofpermitissuance,recorda
noticeontitleoftheexistenceofsuchprotectedtreesagainstthepropertywiththeSnohomishCounty
auditor’soffice.Thenoticeshallbeapprovedbythedirectorandthecityattorneyforcompliancewith
thisprovision.
23.10.090Bonding
A. Thedirectormayrequireaperformancebondfortreereplacementandsiterestorationtoensure
theinstallationofreplacementtrees,and/orcompliancewithotherlandscapingrequirementsas
identifiedontheapprovedsiteplans.
B. Thebondshallbeintheamountof120percentoftheestimatedcostofimplementationofthetree
replacementand/orsiterestorationincludingtrees,irrigationandlabor.
C. AtwoͲyearmaintenancebondshallberequiredaftertheinstallationofrequiredsiteimprovements
andpriortotheissuanceofacertificateofoccupancyorfinalizationofpermitandfollowing
requiredlandscapeinstallationortreereplacement.Themaintenancebondshallbeinplaceto
ensureadequatemaintenanceandprotectionofretainedtreesandsiteimprovements.The
maintenancebondshallbeforanamountof15%oftheperformancebondorestimatein
subsectionB.
D. ThedirectorshallexemptindividualsingleͲfamilylotsfromamaintenancebond,exceptwherea
clearingviolationhasoccurredortreereplacementislocatedwithincriticalareasorcriticalarea
buffers.
23.10.100Violation,EnforcementandPenalties
A. NoncompliancewithanysectionofthischapterconstitutesaviolationofthisCode.
B. Aviolationofanyoftheprovisionsofthischaptershallconstituteamisdemeanorandshallbe
punishableasprovidedinChapter5.50ECC.
C. Penalties:
1. AidingorAbetting:Anypersonwho,throughanactofcommissionoromission,procures,aidsor
abetsintheviolationshallbeconsideredtohavecommittedaviolationforthepurposesofthe
penalty.Allpersonswhohavebeenfoundtocommitaviolationunderthischaptershallbe
responsibleforanequalshareofanypenaltiesimposedundersubsectionC.2.
2. CivilPenalties:Anypersonviolatinganyprovisionsofthischaptershallhavecommittedacivil
infractionandmaybesubjecttocivilpenaltiesinadditiontoanycriminalpenalties.Pursuantto
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AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page13of15
Chapter64.12RCW,theCitymaybeentitledtotripletheamountofcivildamagesclaimedor
assessed.Theextentofthepenaltyshallbedeterminedaccordingtooneormoreofthe
following:
a. AnamountreasonablydeterminedbytheDirectortobeequivalenttothecostsestimated
bytheCitytoinvestigateandadministertheinfraction;
b. Theeconomicbenefitthattheviolatorderivesfromtheviolation(asmeasuredbythe
greateroftheresultingincreaseinmarketvalueofthepropertyorthevaluereceivedbythe
violatororsavingsofconstructioncostsrealizedbytheviolatorperforminganyactin
violationofthischapter);
c. Removalofexisting12”diameterorlargertreesinviolationofthischapterwillrequirean
appraisalofthetreevaluebythecitytreeprotectionprofessionalusingtrunkformula
methodinthecurrenteditionoftheGuideforPlantAppraisal.Thecostoftheappraisalshall
bepaidbytheperson(s)whoremovedexistingtreesinviolationofthischapter.
d. Penaltyforillegalremovaloftreesshallbe$1,500pertreelessthan12”Diameterandthe
appraisedvalueoftrees12”ormoreindiameter.PenaltiesshallbepaidintothecityTree
Fund.Ifdiameterofremovedtreeisunknown,determinationofthediametersizeshallbe
madebytheCityArboristbycomparingsizeofstumpandspeciestosimilartreesinsimilar
growingconditions.
e. Thecostofreplacingandreplantingthetreesandrestoringthedisturbedareaaccordingto
aspecificplanapprovedbytheCity.Violatorsofthischapterorofapermitissued
thereundershallberesponsibleforrestoringunlawfullydamagedareasinconformance
withaplan,approvedbytheDirector,thatprovidesforrepairofanyenvironmentaland
propertydamage,andrestorationofthesite;andwhichresultsinasiteconditionthat,to
thegreatestextentpractical,isequivalenttothesiteconditionthatwouldhaveexistedin
theabsenceoftheviolation(s).
f. Ifillegaltreetoppinghasoccurred,thepropertyownershallberequiredtohaveacertified
arboristdevelopandimplementafive(5)yearpruningscheduleinadditiontomonetary
finesand/orrequiredtreereplacement.
3. Civilpenaltiesunderthissectionshallbeimposedbyanoticeinwriting,eitherbycertifiedmail
withreturnreceiptrequestedorbypersonalservice,tothepersonincurringthesamefromthe
City.Thenoticeshalldescribetheviolation,approximatethedate(s)ofviolation,andshallorder
theactsconstitutingtheviolationtoceaseanddesist,or,inappropriatecases,require
necessarycorrectiveactionwithinaspecifictime.
4. AnyfiscalpenaltyrecoveredunderthissectionshallbedepositedintheCity’streefundas
establishedinChapter3.95ECC.
23.10.110Liability
A. Liabilityforanyadverseimpacts,damagesorinjuryresultingfromworkperformedinaccordance
withanypermitissuedbythecityunderECDC23.10.030shallbethesoleresponsibilityofthe
permitapplicantand/orownerofthepropertyorsiteforwhichthepermitwasissued,andshallnot
betheresponsibilityofthecityofEdmonds.Issuancebythecityofanypermitunderthischapter
shallnotbeconstruedasanassumptionofanyriskorliabilitybythecityofEdmonds,norasa
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AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page14of15
warrantyorguaranteethattheworkauthorizedbythepermitwillhavenoadverseimpactorwill
causenodamagesorinjurytoanypersonorproperty.
B. IssuancebythecityofapermitunderECDC23.20.030and/orcompliancebytheapplicantand/or
propertyownerwithanypermitconditionsthereinshallnotrelieveanapplicantand/orproperty
ownerfromanyresponsibilityotherwiseimposedbylawforanyadverseimpacts,injuryordamage
topersonsorpropertyresultingfromtheworkauthorizedbyanypermitissuedunderthischapter.
C. Nothingcontainedinthischaptershallbedeemedtorelieveanypropertyownerwithinthecity
limitsfromthedutiesimposedunderChapter9.25ECCtokeepanytreeorvegetationuponhis
propertyorunderhiscontrolinsuchconditionastopreventitfromconstitutingahazardora
nuisance.
D. Theamountofanysecurityrequiredaspartofanylanddevelopmentpermitwithwhichtree
removalisassociatedshallnotserveasagaugeorlimittothecompensationthatmaybeowedbya
propertyownerasaresultofinjuryordamagestopersonsorpropertyresultingfromanytree
removalauthorizedunderthischapter.
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AmendmentstoCodeadoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch2,2021Page15of15
3.95TreeFund
3.95.010TreeFundEstablished
Thereisherebycreatedandestablishedafundknownasthe“TreeFund.”
3.95.020FundingSources
MoniesfortheTreeFundshallcomefromthefollowingsources:
A. Allrevenue,mitigationfees,civilfines,andpenaltiesreceivedbythecityunderChapter23.10ECDC.
B. AllcivilpenaltiesreceivedunderChapter23.40ECDC.
C. Donationsandgrantsfortreepurposes;and
D. OthermoniesallocatedbytheCityCouncil
3.95.040FundingPurposes
A. MoniesintheTreeFundmaybeusedforthefollowingpurposes,asreviewedandapprovedbythe
city:
1. ProvidingtreevoucherstoindividualspurchasingandplantingtreesintheCityofEdmonds;
2. Payingforservicesprovidedbyaqualifiedtreeprofessional;
3. Payingforservicesthatsupporttheurbanforestmanagementandhealth;
4. Acquiring,maintaining,andpreservingwoodedareaswithinthecity;
5. Purchasingsuppliesandmaterialsforthecity’sobservanceofArborDayorothereducational
purchases;
6. PurchasingandplantingoftreesbytheCityofEdmonds,includingplantingstreettreeswithin
therightͲofͲway.
7. Otherpurposesrelatingtotreesasdeterminedbythecity.
6.
B. MoniesfromtheTreeFundmustnotbeusedtopurchasetreesrequiredforreplacementunderthe
conditionsChapter23.10ECDC,norusedtopurchasetreesrequiredforreplacementunderthe
conditionsofaviolation.Further,theycannotbeusedinanymannerthatwillprofitthegrantee.
C. MoniesdepositedintothetreefundforafeeͲinͲlieuoftreereplacementsasprovidedforinECDC
23.10.080.Emustbeusedtopurchasetreesforplantingoracquiringandpreservingwoodedareas
andopenspace.