Tree Removal in Covington

Name: Canopy Solutions, LLC
Address: 25255 SE 356th Street, Auburn, WA, 98092
Telephone: (206) 304-9659

In Covington, any removal of “significant” trees (or major tree‑clearing) requires a permit: either a Minor Tree Removal Permit (for lots under one acre) or a Major Tree Clearing Permit (for sites one acre or larger). covington.municipal.codes+1
If your property is in a critical area (wetlands, steep slopes, streams, shoreline buffer, etc.) or within shoreline jurisdiction, tree/vegetation removal is subject to additional restrictions — and may require critical‑area or shoreline permitting in addition to the tree permit. covington.municipal.codes+2covington.municipal.codes+2
If removal is part of a development, land‑use change, site grading, or construction project, any tree clearing must accompany the associated land‑use or building permits. covington.municipal.codes+1
Removal of a “significant tree” typically triggers the city’s tree‑retention and/or tree‑replacement requirements, per the standards in the code. covington.municipal.codes+1

Under the city’s exemptions: covington.municipal.codes

Emergency removal is allowed without a permit when a tree is at risk and poses imminent danger to people or property (e.g. defective/hazardous tree) — removal can proceed immediately, with no replacement required (unless in critical areas). covington.municipal.codes+1
Removal of a limited number of significant trees may be exempt on small residential lots: for lots ≤ 7,200 sq ft, up to three trees; then one additional tree per 7,200 sq ft, with a max of six significant trees per lot within a 36‑month period. covington.municipal.codes+1
Routine tree maintenance or pruning (that does not impair tree health, does not involve topping, and does not occur within critical‑area buffers or disturb critical roots) is allowed without a permit. covington.municipal.codes+1

At Canopy Solutions, LLC we can:

Evaluate your property — zoning, lot size, critical‑area or shoreline overlays — to determine if a permit is required.
Prepare and submit required permit applications (minor removal or major clearing) including site plans, tree inventories (species, size, location), and work descriptions.
Coordinate with certified arborists for hazard assessments, or to help with replacement/mitigation planning when significant trees are removed.
Design and implement re‑planting or mitigation plans in compliance with city code if required (replacement ratios, approved species, placement).
Advise on timing and strategy — e.g. whether small-scale removals qualify for exemption, or whether staging removals makes sense to stay under thresholds.

If your project involves critical‑area buffers, shoreline jurisdiction, or slopes/stream/wetland zones, expect stricter review and potential mitigation or re‑planting requirements — even for minor removals.
Even on small lots, removal of multiple “significant” trees within short timeframes may trigger permit requirements under the 6‑tree/36‑month exemption threshold.
Unauthorized removal (without permit where required) may violate city code; compliance protects you from penalties and ensures environmental and community standards are met.