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ORDINANCE NO. 4448
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
EXTENDING BY ANOTHER 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, the city council extended the interim regulation for six months with Ordinance
4433, which was adopted on April 21, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the planning board has subsequently held a public hearing on the proposed
tree code amendments and made a recommendation to the city council; and
WHEREAS, the council needs additional time to complete the work on the landmark tree
regulations and the tree code more generally; and
WHEREAS, while that work is being done, the city council desires to extend the interim
regulation for another six months with this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on October 13, 2026, the city council held a public hearing on the extension of
this interim regulation; NOW, THEREFORE,
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 Ordinance 4433; 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
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
CITY CLERK, LUKE LONIE
Mike Rosen (Oct 14, 2026 12:33:53 PDT)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BY
JEFF TARADAY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: OCTOBER 13, 2026
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: OCTOBER 13, 2026
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 16, 2026
EFFECTIVE DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2026
ORDINANCE NO: 4448
Jeff Taraday (Oct 14, 2026 12:28:20 PDT)
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 4448
of the City of Edmonds, Washington
On the 13th day of October, 2026, the City Council of the City of Edmonds, passed
Ordinance No. 4448. 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
ANOTHER 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 14th day of October, 2026.
CITY CLERK, LUKE LONIE