Edmonds adopts interim ordinance to protect landmark trees after contested removal

The Edmonds City Council on April 21 adopted an interim ordinance to prohibit removal of certain landmark trees on private property, a measure council members said aims to prevent repeat incidents like the recent cutting of a large coastal redwood known locally as “Big Red.”

The ordinance, moved by Councilmember Susan Payne, passed during the council meeting after more than two hours of public comment from residents who urged immediate protections for mature trees, parks and neighborhood canopy.

The interim measure limits removal of trees that meet a landmark-size threshold and is paired with a work plan intended to allow staff to draft a permanent tree code within a year. Councilmember Payne said the work plan permits extending the interim protection beyond six months so staff and stakeholders can develop a comprehensive, implementable ordinance. “I’d like to make a motion that we adopt the ordinance, as presented,” Payne said before the vote.

Members of the public described what they said were failures in the permitting process around the Big Red removal and urged the council to adopt interim protections quickly. Anne Christiansen, who addressed the council during audience comments, described discrepancies in the permit materials and an appeal taken to Snohomish County Superior Court; she said the city used attorneys to defend the permit on procedural grounds and that public affidavits had been ignored.

Supporters of the ordinance emphasized the tree canopy’s role in biodiversity, stormwater management and the city’s climate goals. Pam Tower, who described growing up near redwoods, told the council the Climate Action Plan specifically calls for updating the city’s street tree plan to increase canopy in low-coverage areas.

City staff and the city attorney clarified the interim ordinance’s scope during council discussion. The city attorney explained the ordinance addresses tree removals outside the context of a development permit (for example, single-tree removal permits for existing properties); existing tree regulations tied to development applications remain separate and would still govern trees associated with new development.

Councilmembers who spoke in favor said the ordinance fills a gap left when a prior interim code lapsed in 2021 and that the one-year schedule gives staff time to coordinate the new tree code with pending critical-area and development-code work.

The ordinance passed by council voice vote; the record shows the measure was moved by Councilmember Susan Payne and seconded. The ordinance includes a work plan and timeline for drafting and adopting a permanent tree code.

The council also discussed but did not adopt several amendments to the work plan proposed by individual councilmembers, including citizen task-force proposals and limits on legal review hours; those suggested amendments failed for lack of a second.

The interim ordinance takes effect immediately and directs staff to follow the attached work plan for the permanent code.

Ending: The interim ordinance is temporary; council members and members of the public said they expect further public engagement and a return to the council once staff complete the permanent tree code drafting and legal review.