Tree and Landscape Code Update

• Tideflats Subarea Plan (Ordinance No. 29076, adopted December 2025)
  • Amended landscape code to establish tree canopy requirements and additional landscape standards to apply to newly established zoning districts in the Tideflats Subarea.
• South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code Update (Ordinance No. 29051, adopted September 2025)
  • Amended landscape code to establish tree canopy requirements for Industrial zoning districts and the Tacoma Mall Subarea character areas, as well as additional landscape standards.
• Home In Tacoma – (Ordinance No. 28986, adopted November 2024)
  • Home in Tacoma established a tree credit system and tree retention requirements for new development in Urban Residential Districts in the city. (HIT Trees/Landscaping Tip Sheet)
• TMC Title 9, Urban Forestry – (Ordinance No. 28926, adopted December 2023)
  • Created new chapter TMC Title 9.20 Urban Forestry to establish permit requirements and related regulations for pruning, removal, and planting of street (right-of-way) trees, establish policies and procedures for discretionary review of requests to prune trees on public property, establish a heritage tree program, and provide for enforcement and penalties for violation.

• Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 5 PM – Planning Commission Meeting (hybrid)- Tree and Landscape Code Update Project IntroductionTacoma Municipal Building, Council Chambers
  • In Person: 747 Market Street, 1st floor
    Tacoma, WA 98402
  • Zoom: www.zoom.us/j/84416624153
  • Dial In: +1 253 215 8782; Webinar ID: 844 1662 4153

Landscaping and tree standards are regulated by four primary sections in the Tacoma Municipal
Code, as well as a standalone Manual. The bolded sections will be the subject of this code update.

1. District Development Standards (TMC 13.06.020.F) control the tree canopy percentage for
   each zoning district. Development bonuses and flexibilities are also found in this section.
2. Site Development Standards (TMC 13.06.090) include Landscaping & tree standards.
3. Urban Forestry (TMC 9.20) regulates tree planting, pruning, and removal on public lands,
   including the right-of-way and public property
4. Critical Areas Preservation (TMC 13.11) sets tree and landscaping requirements within
   regulated Critical Areas
5. Urban Forest Manual (UFM) provides additional guidance on how to meet the landscaping
   requirements listed in the zoning sections above.

Concerns about lack of trees and tree maintenance/preservation are increasingly common themes expressed by community members that have engaged with City of Tacoma staff and policymakers across a wide range of projects. This input has helped the Planning Commission and City Council in weighing different options, through regulatory code updates and other tools, in working to address gaps in tree canopy in the city. This community engagement has also been important in demonstrating community priorities that have helped shape strategic approaches for future work, including for the scope of work established for the Urban Forest Action Plan that includes this project.

Below is an inventory of past community engagement that included significant community input regarding the importance of tree canopy in our city.

Why this code update? Why does this matter?

Thriving tree canopies are fundamental components of healthy, resilient, and livable communities as urban trees and landscaping help support wildlife, reducing stormwater runoff, filtering pollution, and reducing the urban heat island effect. However, Tacoma has historically lacked robust regulations regarding tree planting and preservation, resulting in low citywide tree canopy cover. The current assessment is that 21 percent of Tacoma’s land area is covered by tree canopy, the least amount of tree canopy as a percentage of land cover for all communities assessed in the Puget Sound Region. With this current baseline in mind, the City of Tacoma set a goal to increase citywide tree canopy cover to 30 percent by 2050 (One Tacoma, Policy EN-3.2).

In the past several years, the City Council has begun enacting new regulations to better protect and enhance our urban forest, including   to support better environmental and community health outcomes during development, updating regulations for tree removal, pruning and planting in the right-of- way, and creating a heritage tree program. Community members across the city have also strongly voiced their concerns and taken actions to advocate for increasing the city’s tree canopy and preserving existing trees.

City Council adopted the Urban Forest Action Plan (Resolution No. 41682) in May 2025 that outlines a set of phased actions to expand the City’s work planting and maintaining trees, as well as regulatory and non-regulatory tools for tree preservation citywide. The Tree and Landscape Code Update,  Phase 3 of the Urban Forest Action Plan, includes Planning Commission public process to study and make recommendations to City Council for developing new land use and development regulations regarding tree canopy management and preservation.

Who does this affect?

The code update could affect current and future residents, businesses, and property owners of Tacoma. In 2024, the City adopted Home in Tacoma, which established a tree credit system and tree retention requirements for new development in Urban Residential Districts. This code update will explore expanding the tree credit system and tree retention requirements to apply to new development citywide on private property in the other zoning districts of the city. The code update will also explore potential tree retention requirements for private property in all zoning districts of the city that are not tied to new development.

This code update does not affect regulations adopted through Ordinance No. 28926, adopted by City Council on December 12, 2023, that established permit requirements and regulations for pruning, removal, and planting of street trees on public property, including right-of-way trees that abut private property.

Why is this good for the City/environment?

Tree cover and urban landscaping play a major role in improving health and well-being, supporting urban wildlife, reducing stormwater runoff, filtering pollution, and reducing the urban heat island effect. Trees also contribute to the environment, providing an attractive urban setting to enhance livability and foster economic development.

Unfortunately, Tacoma has historically lacked robust regulations regarding tree planting and preservation, resulting in low citywide tree canopy cover. Additionally, residents of the city are disproportionately affected by the lack of tree canopy, which parallels historical inequities embedded in some of Tacoma’s neighborhoods.

The Tree and Landscape Code Update is an opportunity to advance goals of increasing tree canopy across the city and to create a healthier and more welcoming environment for current and future residents.

What is already decided?

In adopting Resolution No. 41682, City Council provided direction on the scope of work to be completed for the Urban Forest Action Plan. The Tree and Landscape Code Update is Phase 3 of the action plan and has a defined scope of work to be completed. Past input from community members shaped the scope of the Action Plan, including increasing concerns for lack of tree canopy in the city, concern over the loss of mature trees that provide important benefits to our communities, and desire for the city to do more to address these concerns.

What are the impacts to property owners/developers?

This code update will analyze and consider changes to Tacoma Municipal Code for the landscape code, including for tree canopy requirements in the city’s zoning districts and tree removal regulations for While assessment of these topics is within the scope of review for this project, no decisions have been made on what regulations will be adopted; these considerations will come into play with analysis and consideration of different potential code options.

What kind of landscaping/trees?

This code update will include study of tree canopy regulations with the outcome being recommendations made to City Council for potential updates to Tacoma Municipal Code Title 13. This work will include consideration of adopting tree canopy requirements in all zoning districts, potential permit fees associated with tree removal on private property, parking lot tree requirements, and strategies to increase tree canopy in low-canopy areas of the city.

How can the community be involved/provide feedback?

Community members can join the Listserv to receive email updates for the project, including for information about upcoming public meetings and opportunities to provide input on the project. The foundation for this work will be feedback we’ve already collected from the community through prior engagement in past projects and processes.

What was the past engagement?

Concerns about the lack of trees and tree maintenance/preservation are increasingly common themes expressed by community members who have engaged with City of Tacoma staff and policymakers across a wide range of projects. Review some of this past engagement.

How/when is the feedback being used?

Feedback will be used to help inform the Planning Commission and City Council on issues that are important to community members. The Planning Commission and City Council public comment periods are opportunities for community members to provide input on legislation that is under considered for potential adoption.