Bothell kicks off multi‑year tree‑code update as part of urban‑forest plan

City staff on April 21 presented the kickoff and timeline for an update to Bothell’s tree code, a project staff said is essential to meeting the city’s 20‑year tree‑canopy goals.

Cameron Colvin, senior planner, said the existing code dates to 1996 and that staff and consultant Planet GEO audited the ordinance and compared Bothell’s approach to similar cities. "Updating our tree code is one of the first major steps in implementing our newly adopted urban forest management plan," Colvin said, explaining the update will focus on authority and credentials, canopy preservation, protection during construction, planting and maintenance standards, mitigation and enforcement (Title 12 Chapter 18).

Colvin described an engagement timeline: an initial round of focus groups and public outreach next month, draft code amendments in late summer/early fall, further public review, then planning‑commission and council review with a target adoption by the end of Q1 2027. Staff said they will host focus groups, internal departmental workshops and tabling at public events (including Earth Day) to collect priorities and trade‑off feedback.

Council members urged outreach that clarifies tree protections in critical areas, asked staff to phase public education with code changes, and requested attention to removal procedures on private property. Council member Kurt asked staff to explicitly include critical‑areas messaging in outreach to parse restoration needs in those areas; Colvin agreed and said public education would be a major component of the update.

Staff emphasized that the process will aim to be pragmatic and enforceable while providing incentives and flexibility to meet canopy goals. Next steps: staff will launch focus‑group signups on Engage Bothell and return with draft code language and study sessions later in the year.