Redmond Ridge, Trilogy at Redmond Ridge and much of Union Hill–Novelty Hill have Redmond mailing addresses, but they are in unincorporated King County, not the City of Redmond. That means the City of Redmond’s tree permit rules don’t apply. King County’s clearing and grading rules do, and many neighbourhoods also have HOA rules on top. This guide from Redmond Summit Tree Service explains the difference.
Check your parcel first. ZIP code 98053 covers both city and county areas. King County’s parcel viewer or iMap shows your jurisdiction. If it says City of Redmond, use our Redmond tree permit guide instead.
City of Redmond vs. King County at a Glance
| City of Redmond | Unincorporated King County | |
|---|---|---|
| Who regulates | City of Redmond (RZC 21.72) | King County Permitting (KCC 16.82 clearing & grading; KCC 21A zoning) |
| Single tree removal on a developed lot | Permit for every significant tree (6”+ DBH), yearly limits by lot size | Depends on zoning, critical areas and overlays; often regulated through clearing permits |
| Imminent hazard | Remove first, permit issued retroactively | Exempt from a clearing permit; keep before/after photos |
| Non-imminent hazard | No-fee Hazard Tree Declaration + arborist | Certified arborist documentation; clearing permit if >7,000 sq ft already cleared or in a critical area |
| Critical areas | Trees can’t be removed unless hazardous | A clearing permit is required for any tree or vegetation removal in a critical area |
| 2027 changes | City tree code rewrite | Not affected by Redmond’s update |
King County Rules That Commonly Apply
According to King County’s clearing and grading guidance:
- Critical areas: a clearing permit is required for any removal of trees or vegetation from a critical area (wetlands, streams and their buffers, steep slopes), and from properties under urban clearing standards or special district overlay restrictions (KCC 21A.38).
- The 7,000 sq ft line: the county uses 7,000 square feet of cleared area on a parcel as a key threshold. Above it, more clearing (including non-imminent hazard trees) generally needs a permit.
- Timber: removing 5,000 board feet or more of merchantable timber requires a permit, and a separate Forest Practices permit from the state may also be required.
- Hazard trees: an imminent hazard can be removed without a clearing permit (KCC 16.82 exemption). Take before-and-after pictures. A non-imminent hazard (disease, structural defect, lean) needs documentation by a certified arborist, plus a clearing permit if more than 7,000 sq ft of the parcel is already cleared or the tree is in a critical area or buffer.
- Exemptions are listed in KCC 16.82.050.
Code sections and thresholds change, so confirm with King County Permitting before large or sensitive work.
Neighbourhood Notes
- Redmond Ridge and Trilogy. Master-planned communities built with large retained forest tracts, open space and native growth areas. Trees in those tracts are generally off-limits to individual owners, and HOAs manage common-area trees. Edge trees along the tracts are the most common hazard calls.
- Union Hill–Novelty Hill. Larger rural and semi-rural lots with acreage, pasture edges and second-growth forest. Clearing thresholds, timber volume and critical areas matter more here than on suburban lots. See land clearing.
HOA Rules
Many communities here have CC&Rs governing tree removal, replacement and view trees, sometimes stricter than the county’s. Get HOA approval in writing before scheduling work.
What We Do for County Properties
Everything we do inside the city (removals, hazard tree work, storm response, pruning, stump grinding and clearing), planned around county rules and HOA requirements instead of the city’s.
Related Pages
Questions We Hear
How do I know if my home is in Redmond city limits or unincorporated King County?
Look up your parcel in King County's parcel viewer or iMap; it shows the jurisdiction. Your property tax statement also shows it. A Redmond mailing address or ZIP code (98053 covers both city and county areas) does not mean you're in the city.
Can I remove a dangerous tree in Redmond Ridge without a permit?
If the tree poses an imminent hazard, King County allows removal without a clearing permit; take before-and-after photos and keep them as a record. If it's a hazard but not imminent (disease, a structural defect or lean), get it documented by a certified arborist; a clearing permit is required if more than 7,000 square feet of the parcel is already cleared or the tree is in a critical area or its buffer.
Does my HOA have to approve tree removal?
Often, yes. Many Redmond Ridge and Trilogy neighbourhoods have CC&Rs and HOA rules covering trees on lots and in common areas, separate from county rules. Check with your HOA before scheduling work.