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Council enrolls tree ordinance and asks administration to develop adopt-a-tree program after $150,000 state grant
Summary
Council enrolled an ordinance creating tree protections and accepted a state grant announced in meeting; it also referred an adopt-a-tree program for administrative follow-up.
The Everett City Council enrolled an updated municipal tree ordinance and voted to refer a community-focused adopt-a-tree program to the administration for implementation, after councilors discussed the city’s low tree canopy and a new state grant for plantings.
What passed: The cleaned-up tree ordinance (item 26) was enrolled by roll call (10-0). Sponsors said the ordinance gives the city’s arborist new tools — a permit checkbox tied to standard building permits and clearer authority to protect significant trees during development — while focusing enforcement on larger projects rather than single-family remodels.
State grant and context: Councilor Katie Rogers told the council that the city recently received a $150,000 state grant for tree planting. Rogers said Everett’s tree canopy is about 13%, well below common state targets, and that an ordinance and planting program would help secure future state grant opportunities.
Adopt-a-tree referral: The council referred a separate order to create an adopt-a-tree program to the administration and city arborist for follow-up; the council asked staff to outline how residents could volunteer to maintain tree pits, how the city would provide supplies, and how to prioritize areas with the greatest need.
Why it matters: Councilors emphasized the environmental, stormwater and neighborhood-quality benefits of increasing tree canopy and said the ordinance provides a procedural mechanism to track tree removals tied to permits and require replacement plantings where appropriate.
Next steps: The planning department, the city arborist and DPW were asked to prepare implementation guidance and a public outreach plan for the adopt-a-tree program and to coordinate with the administration on use of the $150,000 grant.
