2026-04-21 Council Special PacketEdmonds City Council Agenda
April 21, 2026
Page 1
Agenda
Edmonds City Council
Special Meeting
Council Conference Room
121 5TH AVE NORTH, EDMONDS, WA 98020
ZOOM: HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/95798484261 PHONE: +1 253 215 8782 MEETING ID: 957 9848 4261
APRIL 21, 2026, 2:40 PM
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.COUNCIL BUSINESS
1.Interim Ordinance No. 4389 - Six Month Extension Second Reading – Planning and Development
Services (15 minutes)
ADJOURNMENT
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please contact the City Clerk at 425-775-2525 at your earliest opportunity. Providing at least 72-hour notice will help ensure availability.
City Council Agenda Item 2.1
April 21, 2026 - Special Meeting
TITLE:Interim Ordinance No. 4389 - Six Month Extension (Second Reading)
DEPARTMENT:Planning and Development Services
PRESENTER:Deb Powers
NEEDED FROM COUNCIL:Action
RECOMMENDATION:Approve the six-month extension to Ordinance No. 4389.
BUDGET:
Total Dollar Amount:N/A ☐ Approved in Budget
Fund(s):N/A ☐ Budget Reallocation Required
☒ No Budget Impact
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT:
Currently, Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) 17.130 does not address landmark trees and
non-development tree removal scenarios. Recognizing the community benefits that large trees provide,
City Council adopted Interim Ordinance No. 4389 in April 2025 to protect large trees for twelve months
while the City develops permanent landmark tree regulations (Attachment 1). Due to a nine-month
project delay, staff is proposing an extension of the interim ordinance to protect landmark trees past the
interim ordinance expiration April 29, as the City continues its work and concludes the code amendment
project by October 2026.
CONTEXT, ANALYSIS, & ALTERNATIVES:
Consistent with RCW 36.70.795, the City Council held a public hearing on April 14, 2026 to extend the
interim ordinance for six months. Public Hearing Agenda Item 9.1 included an affidavit of public notice,
proposed Ordinance Extension (Attachment 2), revised 2026 Work Plan (Attachment 3) and the findings
of fact stated in Resolution 1471, subsections 1A, 1B, and 1C (Attachment 4), and the whereas clauses of
the interim ordinance, consistent with policy direction in the Edmonds 2023 Climate Action Plan and the
2019 Urban Forest Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the six-month extension to Ordinance No. 4389.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
No fiscal impacts at this time.
ITEM HISTORY:
Policy direction for Edmonds tree code amendments is summarized below:
Date Action
July 2019 Edmonds Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) adopted. Goal 1A: update codes
to reduce tree removal and other development impacts.
March 2021 ECDC Chapter 23.10, Tree Related Regulations adopted, meeting UFMP Goal 1A.
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 2/19
April 2021 Interim Ordinance No. 1471 adopted. Prohibits landmark tree removal (min. 24”
DBH) as code updates are considered for non-development scenarios.
September
2021
Interim Ordinance 4217 expires prior to establishing permanent landmark tree
protection and code updates applicable to non-development scenarios.
June 2022 City Council received “Stage 2” work plan for code amendments to address tree
removals unrelated to development and landmark tree regulations.
March 2023 Edmonds 2023 Climate Action Plan adopted. Action EN-1.1: adopt a citywide tree
canopy cover target.
December
2024
2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan adopted. Policy LU-5.2: support increased tree
canopy. Goal LU-26: expand canopy cover over 20 years with no net loss goal
(noted then as 34.6%).
April 2025 Interim Ordinance No. 4389 adopted. Prohibits landmark tree removal (min. 30”
DBH) as code updates are considered for non-development scenarios.
October 2025 Minor amendments to ECDC 23.10 adopted by City Council under Ordinance No.
4410.
January 5, 2026 Urban Forest Planner position filled, providing resources to commence the tree
code amendment project.
February 24,
2026
City Council receives 2026 Tree Code Update work plan (scope, timeline and public
engagement plan).
February 25,
2026
Planning Board provides direction on citywide tree canopy cover goal, overall code
organization and preliminary landmark tree definition.
March 11, 2026 Planning Board provides general direction on six tree code definitions, including
landmark tree.
March 25, 2026 Planning Board receives information on different approaches to tree removal
unrelated to development.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Several comments were received at the public hearing in support of retaining the interim ordinance
while one commenter questioned why the tree code update process has taken as long as it has. The
project has taken longer than anticipated due to lack of subject matter expertise on staff and insufficient
budget resources to hire a consultant. However, now with appropriate expertise on staff since January
2026, the code update project has moved forward and can be brought to a conclusion.
If Council chooses not to extend the interim, that would remove the protections currently in place for
landmark trees. Whether or not the interim is extended, staff will continue to work on the tree code
update using the revised work plan timeline.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 4389 and Work Plan (2025)
2. Draft Ordinance Extension (2026)
3. 2026 Revised Work Plan
4. Resolution No. 1471 Findings of Fact
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 3/19
ORDINANCE NO. 4389
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM REGULATION TO PROHIBIT THE
REMOVAL OF CERTAIN LANDMARK TREES ON A TEMPORARY
BASIS, SETTING ONE YEAR AS THE EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF THE
INTERIM REGULATION AND ADOPTING A WORK PLAN.
WHEREAS, the city council adopted Ordinance 4217 on March 2, 2021, establishing an
interim regulation to temporarily prohibit the removal of certain landmark trees; and
WHEREAS, the city council adopted Resolution 1471 on April 27, 2021, adopting
findings of fact to justify the earlier adoption of the interim ordinance and extending its
effectiveness until September 2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 4217 was intended to be temporary while the city continued
work on drafting permanent revisions to the tree code; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 4217 was not renewed or extended after it expired on September
2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the tree code amendments that were contemplated in 2021 were delayed due
to various staffing changes and reductions in the planning and development department and the
need to prioritize the periodic update of the comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Climate Action Plan, adopted on March 21, 2023, via Resolution
1518, reinforces the importance of protecting and maintaining the city’s tree canopy; and
WHEREAS, the city council would like to renew the effort to protect landmark trees in
conjunction with its ongoing development code update, which arises from the recently adopted
periodic update to the city’s comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will provide temporary protection to trees that have a
diameter at breast height of thirty inches or more; and
WHEREAS, it will take about a year for the City to evaluate and consider the merits,
scope, and details of its permanent regulation; and
WHEREAS, the city council desires to adopt the following interim regulation to
temporarily protect landmark trees while this work can be done; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 4/19
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this interim regulation is to temporarily protect
certain landmark trees from “tree removal” as that term is defined in ECDC 23.10.020.V. This
temporary protection is intended to be in place while the city establishes permanent regulations
to govern the removal of such trees. For the purposes of this ordinance, a “landmark tree” shall
be defined as any tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of thirty inches or more.
Section 2. Applicability. The permitting exemption contained in ECDC 23.10.040.A
shall not extend to landmark trees. This ordinance shall not apply to any tree removal associated
with and permitted through a complete building permit application that has already been
submitted. This ordinance shall not apply to trees proposed to be removed in conjunction with
development activity pursuant to ECDC 23.10.060. This ordinance shall not apply to a tree
removal permit that has already issued.
Section 3. Prohibition. For as long as this ordinance remains in effect, it shall be
unlawful to direct any act of tree removal toward a landmark tree, as that term is defined in
Section 1, above, unless the landmark tree also meets the definition of hazard tree in ECDC
23.10.020.H or nuisance tree in 23.10.020.N.
Section 4. Duration of Interim Regulations. As long as the City holds a public
hearing on the interim regulations, the interim regulations shall not terminate until one year after
the effective date of this ordinance, unless it is repealed sooner. The city council hereby adopts
the work plan attached as Exhibit A hereto to justify the one-year period of this interim
ordinance pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390.
Section 5. Public Hearing on Interim regulations. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390 and
RCW 35A.63.220, the City Council shall hold a public hearing on this interim regulation within
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 5/19
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 6/19
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BY
JEFF TARADAY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: April 17, 2025
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: April 21, 2025
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2025
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 29, 2025
ORDINANCE NO.: 4389
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 7/19
1
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 4389
of the City of Edmonds, Washington
On the 21st day of April, 2025, the City Council of the City of Edmonds, passed Ordinance No.
4389. A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting of the title, provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM REGULATION TO PROHIBIT THE
REMOVAL OF CERTAIN LANDMARK TREES ON A TEMPORARY
BASIS, SETTING ONE YEAR AS THE EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF THE
INTERIM REGULATION AND ADOPTING A WORK PLAN.
The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request.
DATED this 21st day of April, 2025.
CITY CLERK, SCOTT PASSEY
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 8/19
Exhibit A
Work Plan for Developing a Permanent Tree Code to Protect Landmark Trees
• Study case law application of “takings” issues related to trees (June-July 2025)
• Analyze city’s tree permit types and trends in recent years (July- August –2025)
• Identify and evaluate specific problems with the existing tree code (August-
September, 2025)
• Clarify intent in updating the tree code (October 2025)
• Clarify key definitions, including definition of landmark trees October 2025)
• Study options for tree removal and replacement requirements (November-
December 2025)
• Analyze types of tree permits needed and the processes to make them effective
(December 2025-January 2026)
• Study options for enforcement of tree regulations (January 2026)
• Identify level of staffing needed to implement and enforce permanent tree code
ordinance (February 2026)
• Develop specific draft language for updating tree code and get input from Planning
Board and public (February-March 2026)
• Bring draft code to City Council, have public hearing, and adopt final version
(March-April 2026)
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 9/19
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 10/19
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 11/19
CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. _____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
EXTENDING BY SIX MONTHS THE INTERIM REGULATION
ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 4389 TO PROHIBIT THE
REMOVAL OF CERTAIN LANDMARK TREES.
WHEREAS, the city council adopted Ordinance 4217 on March 2, 2021, establishing an
interim regulation to temporarily prohibit the removal of certain landmark trees; and
WHEREAS, the city council adopted Resolution 1471 on April 27, 2021, adopting
findings of fact to justify the earlier adoption of the interim ordinance and extending its
effectiveness until September 2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 4217 was intended to be temporary while the city continued
work on drafting permanent revisions to the tree code; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 4217 was not renewed or extended after it expired on September
2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the tree code amendments that were contemplated in 2021 were delayed due
to various staffing changes and reductions in the planning and development department and the
need to prioritize the periodic update of the comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Climate Action Plan, adopted on March 21, 2023, via Resolution
1518, reinforces the importance of protecting and maintaining the city’s tree canopy; and
WHEREAS, the city council would like to renew the effort to protect landmark trees in
conjunction with its ongoing development code update, which arises from the recently adopted
periodic update to the city’s comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will provide temporary protection to trees that have a
diameter at breast height of thirty inches or more; and
WHEREAS, the city council established an interim regulation and adopted a work plan
with Ordinance 4389; and
WHEREAS, additional time is needed to complete the work on the landmark tree
regulations; and
WHEREAS, while that work is being done, the city council desires to extend the interim
regulation for six months with this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, the city council held a public hearing on the extension of
this interim regulation; NOW, THEREFORE,
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 12/19
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Extended Duration of Interim Regulations. The interim regulations
adopted by Ordinance 4389 are hereby given extended effectiveness and shall not terminate until
six months after the effective date of this ordinance, unless it is repealed sooner.
Section 2. Findings of Fact. The city council hereby incorporates by reference and
adopts the following as its findings of fact to justify the adoption of this ordinance: 1) the
findings stated in subsections 1A, 1B, and 1C of Resolution 1471; 2) the whereas clauses of this
ordinance; and 3) the agenda memo that accompanies this ordinance in the council packet. In
addition, the city council finds that this initial step to protect landmark trees is consistent with the
city’s 2023 Climate Action Plan and 2019 Urban Forest Management Plan.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance
should be held to be unconstitutional or unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance, being an exercise of a power specifically
delegated to the City legislative body, is not subject to referendum and shall take effect five (5)
days after passage and publication of an approved summary thereof consisting of the title.
APPROVED:
MAYOR MIKE ROSEN
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 13/19
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
CITY CLERK, LUKE LONIE
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BY
JEFF TARADAY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
ORDINANCE NO.
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 14/19
1
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. __________
of the City of Edmonds, Washington
On the ____ day of ___________, 2026, the City Council of the City of Edmonds, passed
Ordinance No. _____________. A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting of the
title, provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
EXTENDING BY SIX MONTHS THE INTERIM REGULATION
ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 4389 TO PROHIBIT THE
REMOVAL OF CERTAIN LANDMARK TREES.
.
The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request.
DATED this _____ day of ________________, 2026.
CITY CLERK, LUKE LONIE
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 15/19
ATTACHMENT 3
2026 TREE CODE UPDATES
REVISED WORK PLAN & MEETING SCHEDULE
Date Group Action Topic/Key Decision Points
Jan 14 Planning Board Project Introduction, preliminary
approach N/A
Jan 28 Planning Board Discussion: Project scope, timeline,
public engagement, ECDC 23.10 intro
ECDC 23.10 Code Intent & Purpose
Citywide Canopy Cover Goal
Feb 12 Focus Group Project Intro & Discussion: Canopy
Cover, Code Organization, Definitions
Feedback to inform Feb 25 Planning Board
decisions
Feb 24 City Council Briefing: Project Intro (Reading 1)N/A
Feb 25 Planning Board Direction: Code Org, Definitions
(including Landmark)
Canopy Cover Goal (continued from Jan 28)
General Code Organization
Definitions (4-5 updates), landmark tree
(new)
Mar 10 Focus Group Discussion: Tree Removal Unrelated
to Development (new code)
Feedback to inform Mar 25 and Apr 22
Planning Board decisions
Mar 11 Planning Board Direction: continued from Feb 25 Definitions (continued from Feb 25)
Mar 25 Planning Board Direction: Tree Removal Unrelated to
Development (new code)
Consider code requirement options:
Tree removal allowance, tree density
credits, “hybrid” approach, permitting, etc.
Mar 30
FOET Tree
Code
Subcommittee
Discussion: Additional information by
Planning Board request
“Hybrid” tree density credit approach
Landmark species/DBH recommendations
Apr 14 City Council Reading File: Project Status (Reading
2)
Project briefing – Planning Manager: key
decision points addressed/under consideration
Apr 14 City Council Public Hearing and Ordinance
Adoption (Reading 3)
Six-month extension of Interim Landmark Tree
Ordinance, effective through Oct 2026
Apr 22 Planning Board Direction: Tree Removal Unrelated to
Development (continued from Mar 25)
Number of allowed removals per property
size and frequency of removals
Replacements
Permit vs. notification
TBD Focus Group Discussion: Tree Retention Related to
Development
Feedback to inform May 13 Planning Board
decisions
May 13 Planning Board Direction: Tree Retention Related to
Development, Part I
Tree retention requirements
Tree replacement requirements, including
>24” DBH
Fees in lieu of planting
Tree protection measures
May 27 Planning Board Direction: Tree Retention Related to
Development, Part II
Fee in lieu “cap”
Conservation Subdivision
Required Landscaping
TBD Focus Group Discussion: “Other” Code Updates Feedback to inform June 10 Planning Board
decisions
Jun 10 City Council
Committee
Study Session: Project Status
(Reading 4)
Project briefing – Planning Manager: key
decision points addressed/under consideration
Jun 10 Planning Board Direction: “Other” Code Updates
Maintenance assurance (bonds,
agreements)
Emergency tree removals, violations,
liability, etc.
Consolidate Street Trees? Tree Fund?
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 16/19
ATTACHMENT 3
2026 TREE CODE UPDATES
REVISED WORK PLAN & MEETING SCHEDULE
Date Group Action Topic/Key Decision Points
Jun
10+Staff Draft Code ECDC 17.130 (V1)
Submit to meet state requirements
SEPA Determination (Ecology)
60-Day Notice of Intent to Adopt
(Commerce)
Jun 24 Planning Board Direction: Review Draft Code and
provide direction for code changes
Review Draft code (V1)
Provide direction for code changes
TBD Tree Board Decision: Review Draft Code and
provide
Review Draft Code (V1)
Provide recommendation to Planning Board
Jul 8 Planning Board
Tree Board Tentative Joint Meeting Consider Tree Board recommendation
Provide direction for code changes (V2)
Jul 22 Planning Board Public Hearing
Hold public hearing: Draft ECDC 17.130
(V2)
Provide direction for any code changes (V3)
Recommendation to Council (FCR)
Aug 4 City Council Review and Discuss Draft ECDC
17.130 (Reading 5)
Receive PB recommendation (V3)
Q&A, discussion
Aug 21 City Council Consolidated comments/questions
due from Council (Reading 6).
Council will compile any questions and
forward a consolidated list to staff by August
21.
Staff will prepare responses in a clear table
format and include them in the September 8
agenda packet.
Sept 8 City Council Public Hearing (Reading 7)
Hold public hearing: Draft ECDC 17.130
(V3)
Q&A, discussion
Sept
22 City Council
Review and Discuss: public hearing
testimony.
Action: approve changes to the code
(Reading 8)
Review Draft ECDC 17.130 (V3) +
Ordinance
Discuss public feedback
Provide direction for code changes (V4)
Oct 6 City Council Approval of Ordinance Amending
ECDC 17.130 (Reading 9)Consent Agenda Item
Oct 6+Staff Submit signed Ordinance, Final Code 10- Day Notice of Adoption (Commerce)
Oct 15 N/A 6-month moratorium extension
expires
Nov+Staff Implementation Code publishing, training, public education,
webpage update, social media release, etc.
Revised April 7, 2026
Item 2.1
Packet pg. 17/19
RESOLUTION NO. 1471
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT TO SUPPORT THE
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 4217, WHICH ESTABLISHED INTERIM
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS THAT PREVENT THE REMOVAL OF
CERTAIN LANDMARK TREES.
WHEREAS, the city council adopted Ordinance 4217 on March 2, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the city council held a public hearing on Ordinance 4217 on April 20, 2021 to
determine whether the interim development regulations adopted by that ordinance were justified
and should continue for the remainder of its six-month period of applicability; and
WHEREAS, several people spoke at the above -referenced public hearing, both for and against
the ordinance: and
WHEREAS, many of the arguments offered in favor of the ordinance made points consistent
with the whereas clauses of Ordinance 4217; and
WHEREAS, many of the arguments offered against the ordinance were less persuasive due to
the temporary nature ofthe ordinance; now therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. ADOPTION OF FINDINGS. The city council hereby adopts as its findings of fact to
support the adoption and continuing effectiveness of Ordinances 4217 the Whereas clauses
contained in Ordinances 4217 as well as the following supplemental findings:
A. It takes a long time for a tree to grow from its planted size to a size of twenty-four
inch DBH or larger.
B. The permanent landmark tree regulations to be adopted later this year may allow for
some removal of landmark trees in certain circumstances where removal is deemed
appropriate.
C. Careful thought and deliberation should be given to the crafting of those permanent
landmark tree regulations to ensure that any future removal of landmark trees is not
harmful to the public, health, safety, and welfare or that such harm is offset by other
competing societal values and benefits.
D. Extending the effectiveness of Ordinance 4217 for roughly another four months until
September 2, 2021 is reasonable considering how long it would take to replace
10.1.d
Packet Pg. 165
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Item 2.1
Packet pg. 18/19
landmark trees that may be cut without sufficient justification if the ordinance were to
be repealed now.
Section 2. CONTINUANCE OF MORATORIUM. In light of the findings of fact adopted in
Section 1, above, the effectiveness of Ordinance 4217 shall continue and not terminate until
September 2, 2021, unless it is expressly repealed by earlier council action.
RESOLVED this 27th day ofApril, 2021.
CITY OF EDMONDS
1
Ir
M R, MIKE NELSON
ATTEST:
G CLERK, SC67T ASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: April 23. 2021
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: April 27. 2021
RESOLUTION NO. 1471
2
10.1.d
Packet Pg. 166
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Item 2.1
Packet pg. 19/19