Need to Cut Down a Tree?  Don’t forget to get a City Tree Removal Permit

Mature trees contribute to the quality of life in Mill Creek by lending an aesthetically pleasing image to the City’s landscape helping reduce green house gases and providing wildlife habitat.  In addition, trees help prevent erosion on steep slopes and stream banks. As such, the City of Mill Creek Comprehensive Plan promotes the preservation of mature trees and the Development Code has restrictions on removing trees.  Additionally, many developments within the City have tree preservation plans identifying specific trees that must be preserved and/or property buffers where trees are to be retained.

Even though trees add to the quality of life, sometimes a particular tree will become diseased or hazardous and the property owner may determine that the tree should be removed.  In such cases, a permit to remove the tree must be obtained from the City.  In reviewing a tree removal request, the City reviews property records to determine if a tree was required to be preserved when the development was originally approved and often must assess the condition of the tree.  Sometimes the City will require an arborist report to determine the health of the tree.  All trees that are six inches or larger in diameter measured at the height of four and one-half feet require a permit prior to removal.  In addition all trees in critical area buffers, roadway buffers, or property buffers require a permit regardless of size.  The City permit must be issued prior to removal.  Failure to obtain a permit before removing the tree may result in a fine of $1,000 per tree and replacement trees will be required at a ratio of 3 new trees for every one tree illegally removed.  Most Homeowners Associations also require that you obtain their approval prior to removal of any trees.