The City of Burien works with residents and businesses to maximize the aesthetic, environmental, and economic benefits that trees provide by managing, preserving, and enhancing Burien’s existing tree canopy and vegetation.
The City manages major street planting projects and the inspection, pruning, and removal of hazardous trees on public property. The City also provides information and resources to homeowners, businesses, and developers on proper planting and care of trees.
Permits
- Vegetation Management Plan - A Vegetation Management Plan is required for properties located in a shoreline management area, critical area, or critical area buffer where vegetation is proposed to be disturbed, including tree removal. Critical areas subject to vegetation management plan review include geologically hazardous areas, frequently flooded areas, wetlands, and streams.
- Tree Pruning Permit - A Tree Pruning Permit is required for properties located in a shoreline management area, critical area, or critical area buffer. Critical areas subject to tree pruning permit review include geologically hazardous areas, frequently flooded areas, wetlands, and streams.
Visit the Permit Center for more information.
Green Burien Partnership
In 2018, with funding from the Port of Seattle Airport Community Ecology (ACE) Fund, Forterra began helped the City establish the Green Burien Partnership. The partnership conducted an assessment of current tree canopy cover citywide and forest health conditions in parks and natural areas, conducted community outreach and engagement to guide the development of a 20-year plan for restoring forests and increasing the amount of tree canopy across the three cities. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department is now leading the implementation of projects and volunteer programs that organize local neighbors and community groups to plant trees, remove invasive plant species, and meet restoration goals.
In 2018, the Burien City Council established an ambitious goal—that Burien’s tree canopy would cover 40 percent of the city by 2038. In 2020, the Burien City Council approved an urban forest stewardship plan that outlines strategies and actions needed to meet that goal.
Tree Regulations Update
The City of Burien is considering zoning code changes to help protect trees on private properties. These changes will support goals outlined in Burien’s Climate Action Plan and the Green Burien Partnership Urban Forest Stewardship Plan.
The City of Burien hired an arborist and urban forest planner in March 2022. He will be helping to revise the proposed code, soliciting community feedback, and bringing a revised version to City Council in the fall of 2022.
More Information
The City continues to strive for the goal of balancing development with protecting our urban forests. On July 9, 2020, Ian Gray, ISA-board certified master arborist shared his two decades of experience working as the urban forestry and natural resource manager for the City of Renton and city forester for Aspen, Colorado. Watch a video of the recorded webinar.
Updated May 2, 2022