Sammamish Unified Development Code

Environment & Sustainability | Trees

a. A permit shall be granted for the removal of significant trees as shown in the following table. The number of significant trees allowed for removal shall be limited by the lesser of the percentage column or cumulative number column:

i. Thinning a heavily wooded area where remaining trees may benefit from the thinning and the lot’s forested look, value, or function is maintained;

ii. Maintaining the lot’s landscaped areas;

iii. Building a new structure, excluding a new primary residence, or adding onto an additional structure such as an existing residence, ADU, garage or shed; or iv. Installing or maintaining utilities or sources of renewable energy, such as solar panels. 2. R-8, R-12, R-18, O, NB and CB Zoned Lots. A lot as defined in SDC 21.04.040B.203. zoned R-8, R-12, R-18, O, NB or CB as of the effective date of this chapter must obtain a tree removal permit prior to removing any significant tree located on the lot. This requirement does not apply to rights vested to prior land use regulations. Permit approval will be based on the following criteria: a. A permit shall be granted for the removal of not more than four significant trees per year with a limit of eight significant trees every five years. b. Within environmentally critical areas and associated buffers, significant trees and other vegetation shall be retained subject to the requirements of SDC 21.03.020. c. Replacement trees shall be planted as provided in SDC 21.03.060J., Tree replacement standards. d. An application that seeks to remove trees in excess of the limits specified in subsection 2.a. of this section may be authorized at the discretion of the director. Director

REMOVAL OF SIGNIFICANT TREES

Lot Size

Percent of significant

Number of significant

Cumulative number of significant

trees allowed to be removed per 10 years

trees allowed to be removed per year

trees allowed to be removed per rolling 10- year period

< 1/4 ac

50 40 30 20 10

2 4 6 8

6

1/4 ac – 1/2 ac 1/2 ac – 1 ac

12 18 24 30

1 ac – 2 ac

> 2 ac

10

b. Within environmentally critical areas and associated buffers, significant trees and other vegetation shall be retained subject to the requirements of SDC 21.03.020. c. Replacement trees shall be planted as provided in SDC 21.03.060J., Tree replacement standards. d. An application that seeks to remove trees in excess of the limits specified in subsection 1.a. of this section may be granted at the discretion of the director subject to double the tree replacement requirements in SDC 21.03.060J. Director approval may be granted for one of the following reasons:

168 | Title 21: Sammamish Development Code

Effective | January 1, 2022

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