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City of Bellevue, WA Development Services
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Tree Canopy Code Amendments

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    Recent Code Amendments

    • ADU Three-Year Rule Removal
    • Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Reform LUCA
    • C-1 Affordable Housing Density Bonus
    • EBCC Sunset
    • Existing Building Redevelopment Land Use Code Amendment
    • Family Child Care Homes LUCA
    • Floodplain Regulations Update
    • Increased Affordable Housing Capacity on Faith-Owned Properties LUCA
    • Micro-Apartments Land Use Code Amendment
    • Noise Code Update
    • Noise Control Code Amendment: Construction Noise and Sleeping Areas
    • Objective Design Land Use Code Amendment
    • Permit Streamlining Land Use Code Amendment
    • Quasi-Judicial Land Use Code Amendment
    • Reduced Minimum Residential Parking Standards
    • Residential Occupancy Land Use Code Amendment
    • Shoreline Master Program and SEPA Conformance Amendments
    • Supportive and Emergency Housing Code Amendment
    • Tree Canopy Code Amendments
    • Unit Lot Subdivision
    • Wireless Communication Facilities LUCA

    This amendment to Bellevue's Land Use Code and City Code updated tree preservation, retention, replacement and protection provisions to better support citywide tree canopy goals. 

    Background

    Bellevue's tree canopy is a critical environmental asset and central to the vision of a "City in a Park." Bellevue's Environmental Stewardship Plan Action N.1.1 calls for a comprehensive review and update of provisions in the Land Use Code and City Code for tree preservation, retention, replacement and protection during construction. The city's previous code provisions related to trees were updated periodically, but never in a comprehensive fashion. 

    On Nov. 21, 2022 the City Council initiated work on this set of amendments. 

    What changed?

    City staff completed a comprehensive review of tree code provisions and developed amendments in the following areas:

    • Tree Preservation and Replacement: 
      • Updated significant tree definition to six-inch minimum diameter and implemented permanent definition for landmark trees as 24 inches or greater.
      • Permit now required to remove any significant or landmark tree. Tree replacement required, with exception for residential properties removing a limited number of trees. A new, more affordable permit type for limited tree removal on residential properties will be available soon. 
      • Established criteria for hazardous trees. Hazardous tree removal is not subject to tree replacement requirements, but a permit is still required. 
    • Tree Retention: 
      • Minimum tree density required with any development proposal. Minimum depends on the size of the property, land use district and proposed type of development. 
      • Minimum tree density can be achieved through retention and new planting, with a strong emphasis on retention. 
      • In-lieu fee available as a last resort when all replanting options have been exhausted.  
    • Tree Protection: 
      • Implemented definition for qualified tree professional.
      • Trees required to be planted or retained as a condition of other city requirements must be retained unless hazardous, as determined by a qualified tree professional. 
      • All development projects must include a tree protection plan prepared by a qualified tree professional. 
      • City may impose monetary penalties based on the assessed value of the tree when violations occur. Penalties may be doubled for repeat violations. 

    The City Council took action on these amendments on July 9.

    What did not change?

    These amendments did not change provisions of the Critical Areas Ordinance, which already provides strong protections for significant trees located in critical areas, including replacement requirements. 

    The Trees, Weeds and Vegetation chapter of the Transportation Code, which regulates vegetation impacting sidewalks, streets and public rights-of-way, will be updated through a separate project. 

    Related Documents

    Ordinance No. 6795

    Ordinance No. 6796

    Related Projects

    Environmental Stewardship Plan

    Project Timeline and Schedule
    DateMeeting or Action TakenLinks 
    11/21/2022City Council InitiationCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials 
    12/14/2022Planning Commission BriefingPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    5/24/2023Planning Commission Check-inPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    6/8/2023Public Information SessionStaff Presentation 
    6/26/2023City Council Check-inCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials 
    7/26/2023Planning Commission Study SessionPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    12/4/2023City Council Check-in and Action to Extend Interim Landmark Tree OrdinanceCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials 
    12/13/2023Planning Commission Study SessionPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    1/11/2024Public Information Session

    Presentation

    Notes

     
    1/24/2024Planning Commission Study SessionPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    3/27/2024Planning Commission Study SessionPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    4/24/24Planning Commission Public HearingPlanning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials 
    5/21/2024City Council Study SessionCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials 
    6/18/2024City Council Study SessionCity Council Meeting Agenda Materials 
    7/9/2024City Council Action (LUCA and BCCA)City Council Meeting Agenda Materials 

     

     

     

    Development Services

    Land Use
    Telephone
    425-452-4188
    Hearing Impaired
    711
    Email
    landusereview@bellevuewa.gov

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