LCC Urges Support of New Bill To Require Tree Providers To Register Before Conducting Work

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) would like to urge neighbors to support City Council CB120207, sponsored by District 4 Councilmember Alex Pedersen, that requires registration of tree care providers within the City of Seattle.

To support this bill, LCC advises to email City Council members at Council@seattle.gov  by Friday at 5pm. 

The City websites says:

This is an ordinance relating to land use and urban forestry; adding a tree service provider registration procedure and requirement. The proposed legislation also requires that public notice be posted before any major tree removal occurs. 25.11.095 Tree service provider registration Establish a public registration system for tree service providers operating within Seattle. Starting 10 November 10, 2022, after the Director has established the application process and public 11 registry, no tree service provider may conduct commercial tree work unless it is listed on the 12 City’s tree service provider public registry. Any commercial tree work must be done by a registered tree service provider who must be registered by the Director before it may conduct commercial tree work unless otherwise provided in subsection 25.11.095.A. Registered tree service providers are required to renew annually which require submittal to the Director. Registration shall be issued by the Director to each applicant meeting the following requirements: 1) Possesses a current and valid Seattle business license 2) Has at least one employee or a person on retainer who is a currently credentialed International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist trained and knowledgeable to conduct work in compliance with American National Standards Institute 3) Acknowledges in writing knowledge of City codes applicable to commercial tree work 4) Is not currently under suspension from registration under Section 25.11.100 and does not have any outstanding fines or penalties related to commercial tree work activities owed The City of Seattle 5) Possesses a current and valid Washington State contractor registration and a current certificate of insurance with an amount of insurance coverage determined by the Director. Tree service provider activities: Provide the registered tree service provider’s hiring entity with a notice at least three business days in advance of 4 the commercial tree work to include brief description of the commercial tree work, registered tree service provider, maintenance or that involves removal of any trees 6 inches or greater diameter at breast height and identifies whether said tree meets the City’s definition of exceptional, provide a copy of the tree service provider’s registration; and indicate whether a permit is required for the commercial tree and provide if so. A registered tree service provider is responsible for complying with best 14 practices applicable to the particular commercial tree work for which they are retained - including: determination of the commercial tree work needed to justify removal or pruning outside of the routine pruning operations and maintenance, maintaining adequate supervisory control over workers conducting commercial tree work, apply for the hazardous tree removal permit must either have an employee who is currently credentialed with an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, submit documents including a brief report that summarizes the factors contributing to the tree’s risk rating, including overall health of the tree, dimensions and structure of the tree, and analysis of potential targets should it or major parts of it fall. If the tree does not meet the City’s definition of exceptional, the registered tree service provider that submits the hazardous tree removal permit application may also perform the removal or major pruning of the tree. If the tree meets the City’s definition of exceptional, the registered tree service provider shall engage another registered tree service provider to independently assess the tree and submit the application for its removal.

For more information go here.