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Tree Services in Tacoma, WA

Tree Removal Permits and Regulations in Tacoma

TMC 13.11 — Tacoma Municipal Code Critical Areas

Tacoma requires critical area permits for tree work in shoreline zones, wetland buffers, and steep slopes, and many large-diameter trees fall under significant-tree review. Tacoma Planning and Development Services reviews tree removal applications.

An ISA Certified Arborist from Pacific Arboriculture reviews each property during the free on-site estimate and confirms whether a permit, critical area review, or written arborist report is required before any cutting starts.

Direct line for Tacoma: City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services: 253-591-5030 · Tacoma permit page

ISA Certified ArboristTCIA MemberBBB AccreditedLicensed & InsuredWashington L&I Contractor License: PACIFA*813KG

What Customers Are Saying

★★★★★

"Jared and his crew arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule and were very professional. Jared was great in answering questions and listening while explaining how much to cut off the trees. He pruned both the Magnolia and Pine tree. An enormous limb the size of the trunk broke off the Pine during a storm. Jared was able to clean up the jagged break to prevent disease and insects entering the tree, along with pruning some limbs and removing all the dead branches. The trees now look awesome — Pacific Arboriculture comes highly recommended."

— Caren B. · Verified Google review
★★★★★

"Great experience from start to finish. Fast response with a solid bid soon after calling. Brandon and the rest of the crew removed a couple of trees, ground a stump, and did some awesome work pruning a paper bark, maple, and black pine (which included the rescue of a baby raccoon). That nasty looking pine now looks absolutely amazing. Great job with cleanup to top it off. Highly recommend."

— Mark L. · Verified Google review
★★★★★

"A large project consisting of 9 trees with work ranging from stump grinding, pruning, and fruit tree care. Every step of the process was amazing. It is very telling how passionate everyone is about tree health. So much learned along the way. The team was thorough with everything and surprisingly detailed with the cleanup — not a leaf or twig was left behind. Pacific Arboriculture will be the call for future tree work, and Caren's dad plans on hiring them too."

— Rachel B. · Verified Google review

Expert Tree Care in Tacoma—Rooted in Safety, Backed by Experience

Tacoma is known for its towering evergreens, historic neighborhoods, and sweeping Puget Sound views—but those same trees can create serious challenges when they’re damaged, overgrown, or improperly cared for. Whether you live in North Tacoma or manage a business near South 38th Street, professional tree care is essential for long-term safety and property value.

That’s where Pacific Arboriculture comes in.

At Pacific Arboriculture, we bring ISA Certified Arborists, tree risk assessors, crane-certified operators, and decades of combined experience to every job. From precise pruning and risk assessments to storm response and full tree removals, we help Tacoma property owners make informed, confident tree care decisions.

Why Choose Pacific Arboriculture in Tacoma?

We’re local experts with a reputation built on safety, integrity, and results. Our team has the skills and certifications to handle even the most complicated jobs in Tacoma’s urban forest.

Serving Every Neighborhood in Tacoma

We proudly serve all corners of Tacoma and the greater Pierce County area, including:

  • North End
  • Proctor District
  • West End
  • South Tacoma
  • Eastside
  • Stadium District
  • Hilltop
  • Lincoln District
  • Browns Point

Whether you’re dealing with old-growth trees or urban planting zones, we’ve got the tools and training to handle it.

Helpful Local Resources for Tacoma Residents

Pacific Arboriculture offers tree maintenance services in Tacoma, Washington. Our professionals have years of experience in the area, work within our clients guidelines, and obey all rules and regulations regarding tree maintenance services in Tacoma. It is important to understand that tree maintenance can quickly become a legal issue when dealing with massive trees and overgrowth. That is why it is important to hire a tree maintenance company that understands the rules and regulations of tree maintenance in Tacoma.

Trees in Washington are not like trees in other areas of the United States. Trees in Tacoma, especially, can become a problem because of the sprawling city and the people who inhabit it. Trees can quickly grow out of control if not maintained and this can lead to very nasty legal battles over property lines, overgrowth damages, and other types of legal issues. All of these issues can be avoided to an extent by maintaining your trees with a professional service company like Pacific Arboriculture.

This question is raised quite a lot and the answer is yes and no. There are rules and regulations that homeowners and business owners must adhere to when maintaining trees in Tacoma. In many cases, these rules will dictate the use of professional tree maintenance service providers because the tools and experience necessary is not within the realm of your average homeowner or business owner. It is completely ok to admit that tree maintenance is not something you want to partake and that is why Pacific Arboriculture is here to help do the hard work. Avoid endangering yourself and others and let our professionals handle your tree maintenance.

This depends on what your specific tree maintenance needs are and what work and equipment is involved. If you need to know the cost of tree maintenance in Tacoma, contact the professional tree maintenance team at Pacific Arboriculture. We will make sure that your trees are maintained to your requirements and will also make sure that all legal regulations and code are followed. We take our job very seriously and make sure that all liabilities and safety measures are followed completely. This allows us to do a better job than our competition and maintain personal relationships with our clients.

It depends on the tree, the location on the property, and the zone. Tacoma regulates significant tree removal under TMC 13.11 — Tacoma Municipal Code Critical Areas. The free on-site estimate from Pacific Arboriculture reviews whether a permit is required and handles the paperwork when it is. Direct line for Tacoma: City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services: 253-591-5030.

Tacoma requires critical area permits for tree work in shoreline zones, wetland buffers, and steep slopes, and many large-diameter trees fall under significant-tree review. Tacoma Planning and Development Services reviews tree removal applications.

Storm response and hazard tree calls in Tacoma are typically on-site within hours during business operations and around the clock during active storm events. Written ISA Certified Arborist documentation is provided for every insurance claim.

Pacific Arboriculture provides tree service across Tacoma including the North End, Stadium District, Proctor, Old Town, and every surrounding neighborhood. The full service area covers 21 cities across South King and Pierce counties.

Most residential removals in Tacoma run between $300 and $7,500 depending on tree size, access, and whether stump grinding is included. Every Pacific Arboriculture estimate is free, written, and includes debris haul-off.

Yes — Tacoma requires a written ISA Certified Arborist report for tree work in critical areas, shoreline buffers, steep slopes, and other regulated zones. Pacific Arboriculture’s reports are accepted by Tacoma and surrounding South King and Pierce County municipalities.

Yes. Annual maintenance plans, hazard tree assessments, and emergency response are available for HOA common areas, apartment buildings, retail and office properties, and municipal contracts throughout Tacoma.

Common issues in Tacoma include wind damage on large Douglas firs and big-leaf maples, root competition from mature conifers, cedar canopy browning in dry summers, aphid pressure on Japanese and big-leaf maples, and structural cracks in older trees that have not been pruned to ANSI standards. An ISA Certified Arborist evaluation identifies which apply to the specific property.

Need Tree Service in Tacoma?

From emergency removals to long-term tree health plans, Pacific Arboriculture provides certified, top-tier service you can trust. Let us help you protect your property and preserve your trees for years to come.

Call (206) 909‑2170 to schedule or request your free quote today.