Tree Service Provider Registry Requirements

This article provides Tree Service Provider Registry requirements related to commercial tree work on private property (regulated by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)) and tree work in the public rights-of-way (regulated by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)). 

• For instructions on submitting a Tree Service Provider Registry, see How To Apply for the Tree Service Provider Registry.
• To add or make changes to your registration, see How to Revise an Existing Tree Service Provider Registration.
• To renew your registration, see How to Renew an Existing Tree Service Provider Registration.

Topics in this article include:

• What is the Tree Service Provider Registry?
• When is using a registered Tree Service Provider required?
• What are the responsibilities of a registered tree service provider?
• What do I need to register my business?
• How do I meet the insurance requirements?
• Still need help? (With interpretation options.)

What is the Tree Service Provider Registry?

The City of Seattle maintains a directory of all registered tree service providers eligible to conduct most tree work in Seattle on private property or the public rights of way. The Tree Service Provider Registry is accessible to the public so that owners, residents, and neighbors can be assured a registered company knowledgeable with tree regulations and best practices is completing work in their neighborhood.

The City of Seattle has different requirements for providers who may evaluate, care for, remove, and plant trees on private property (SDCI) versus in the public rights-of-way (SDOT).  SDCI and SDOT each maintain distinct registries, however they are combined for ease of application and directory search.

A list of all active registered tree service providers can be found on the Tree Service Provider Directory.

When is using a registered Tree Service Provider required?

Property owners are required to use a registered tree service provider for most tree work on private property and in the public rights of way.

For SDCI, the registry applies to all commercial tree work on private property. Trees are categorized into different tier groups summarized below (for more information also see Tip 242B, Tree Removal on Private Property, and 242C, SDCI Tree Service Provider Registry). Commercial tree work is defined in the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 25.11.130 as any of the following actions conducted in the city of Seattle in exchange for financial compensation:

• Reportable work: The removal of live branches 4 inches in diameter or greater, pruning or removal of live roots 2 inches in diameter or greater, or removal of live branches constituting 25 percent or more of a tree’s foliage-bearing area. Pruning of trees cultivated for fruit production and maintenance of hedges is not reportable work. Normal pruning and maintenance operations that do not meet the definition of reportable work are not commercial tree work.
• Removal of any Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 tree (trees 6 inches or greater in diameter at standard height (DSH)):
  • “Tier 1 tree” means a heritage tree that is a tree or group of trees given special designation by the Heritage Tree Program, co-sponsored by Plant Amnesty and Seattle Department of Transportation.
  • “Tier 2 tree” means any tree that is 24 inches DSH or greater, tree groves, each tree comprising a tree grove, and specific tree species below 24 inches DSH as provided by Director’s Rule (DR) 7-2023.
  • “Tier 3 tree” means any tree that is 12 inches DSH or greater but less than 24 inches DSH and is not defined as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 tree.
  • “Tier 4 tree” means any tree that is 6 inches or greater DSH but less than 12 inches DSH and is not defined as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 tree.
• Consulting Services: The assessment of the health or hazard risk of any Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 tree.

For SDOT, the registry applies to major pruning or removals of any tree growing within designated street rights-of-way, as outlined in SMC 15.43.

• Major Pruning: Major pruning means removal of branches two inches in diameter or greater; removal of roots two inches in diameter or greater; or removal of branches constituting more than 15 percent of a tree’s foliage–bearing area. All major pruning of street trees shall comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A-300 standards and relevant standards outlined in this manual in the Street Tree Pruning section of the Street Tree Manual.
• Removal: The City’s policy is to retain and preserve street trees whenever possible. Accordingly, street tree removal shall not be permitted unless the Director determines that a street tree: 1) Is a hazardous tree; 2) Poses a public safety hazard; 3) Is in such a condition of poor health or poor vigor that removal is justified; or 4) Cannot be successfully retained due to public or private construction or development conflicts.
• Registration is not required for firms engaging in consulting only, or for tree planting operations within the public rights of way.

What are the responsibilities of a registered tree service provider?

All registered tree service providers are required to:

• Comply with best practices applicable to the particular tree work they are conducting.
• Attest to having knowledge of City codes applicable to tree work (see subsection below).
• For commercial vehicles used by the registered tree service provider, 1) clearly display the tree service provider’s City-issued registration number and 2) have the name of the business to which the vehicle is registered, and the business’s phone number or email address permanently displayed on the left, right, and rear (where applicable) sides in letters no less than 2 inches in height.
• Renew the tree service provider registration annually.

Tree service providers listed on the registry are committed to following these tree protection regulations and notice requirements:

REGULATION/ NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR TREES	SDCI REGISTRY	SDOT REGISTRY
SMC Chapter 25.11, Tree Protection	X
SDCI related Director’s Rules	X
SMC Chapter 15.43, Tree & Vegetation Management in Public Places		X
Street Tree Manual		X
SDOT Traffic Control Manual  & Specifications		X
ANSI A-300 or subsequent standard	X	X
Public notice requirements for trees	X (see Tip 242D and SDCI webpage)	X (see CAM 2307 and SDOT webpage)

What do I need to register my business?

Tree Service Providers can register with the city’s Tree Service Provider Registry through the Seattle Services Portal account. If you do not already have a Seattle Services Portal account, you will need to create an account. Please note, this is a digital application; if you need assistance completing your application, please contact us (see the Still Need Help? section).

For assistance navigating the application process, please review the step-by-step instructions in How to Apply for the Tree Service Registry. The application process will take 15-20 minutes to complete.

You will need the following documents and information to complete the registration process. As noted below, you will be asked to upload digital documentation as part of the application process.

• Current City of Seattle Business License. You will need to upload a copy of your license. Tip! Go to FileLocal to confirm that your license status is current before beginning the registration process.
• Washington State L&I General Contractor number. Tip! Go to Washington Labor & Industries to confirm that your contractor registration is current before beginning the registration process.
• Certificate of Insurance for General Liability insurance. A current certificate of insurance with City of Seattle as the certificate holder with a minimum of $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability. The liability coverage must include an endorsement naming the City of Seattle as an additional insured on a primary and non-contributory basis for government authorization purposes. You will need to upload a copy of your general liability insurance and an endorsement listing the City of Seattle as an additional insured. (Please see section below for additional information).
• International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. At least one International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist on staff or retainer is required. A good website to find a professional arborist and verify credentials is Trees are Good. You will need to upload a copy of the ISA card for all ISA certified arborists listed on the application. Please note that the card must include the credential holder’s name, certification number, and expiration date. For arborists that intend to do hazard tree risk assessments or emergency actions the arborist must have a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential.

How do I meet the insurance requirements?

All registered tree service providers are required to show proof of Commercial General Liability insurance cover- age with a minimum of $1,000,000 limit per occurrence and an additional insured endorsement. If your coverage expires within a year of registering, your registration will be suspended until you submit proof of renewed coverage. Sample insurance documentation is provided at the end of this document. To provide proof of acceptable insurance coverage, you must submit two separate documents:

• Commercial General Liability policy certificate of insurance;
• Insurance endorsement form naming the City of Seattle as an additional insured.

Minimum Insurance Requirements:

To help you obtain the acceptable documentation, please provide the following minimum insurance requirements to your insurance broker or agent.

• The Commercial General Liability policy must be written on an insurance industry standard form ISO CG 0001 or equivalent coverage form.
• The Commercial General Liability policy must have at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) Each Occurrence Combined Single Limit Bodily Injury and Property Damage.
• The Commercial General Liability policy certificate should include:
  • The City of Seattle is “primary and non-contributory” additional insured.
  • The City of Seattle shall be given not less than thirty (30) days’ notice of cancellation of the policy, except in the case of non-payment, then not less than ten (10) days’ prior notice is required.
• The Commercial General Liability policy certificate holder should be identified as: City of Seattle, P.O. Box 94669 Seattle, WA 98124-4669
• The Commercial General Liability policy must include:
  • Premises Operations.
  • Products and Completed Operations.
  • Broad Form Property Damage Liability. Personal Injury.
  • Endorsement naming the City of Seattle as an additional insured for primary limits of liability. (See sample form.)  
    • The City of Seattle must be an additional insured with a CG 2012 (0509 or newer version preferred) or CG 2026 additional insured endorsement or an appropriate blanket additional insured endorsement or ISO CG 2012 equivalent. The additional insured endorsement must reflect the City’s role as a governmental entity issuing a permit or authorization. This excludes the CG 2009, CG 2010, and CG 2033 forms, because the permit applicant isn’t per forming any work for the City. It also excludes blanket additional insured wordings that refer to written agreements or contracts, because permits and authorizations are not agreements or contracts.

In addition to the minimum General Commercial Liability insurance you are required to hold to be eligible for listing on the registry, it is good practice to also have Commercial Auto Liability insurance to cover accidents that may involve your commercial vehicles. If you have employees, it is good practice to carry Stop Gap or Employer’s Liability coverage to cover your business from damages claimed during a worker’s compensation suit.

Still need help?

SDCI: The best way to contact our staff is via email at [e-mail] or through SDCI’s Submit a Request form. To help route your request, indicate that you need help with “Permits, codes, zones, plans,” then select “Land Use” as the type of help you need, and then select “Trees” in the description field. If necessary, we can set up a virtual meeting to discuss potential or actual projects. Customers may also contact us at [phone] if you have questions and/or need interpretation services (please be prepared to share your preferred language to help us locate the appropriate support).

SDOT: If your registration is specific to only SDOT, please email us at [e-mail] or contact us at (206) 684-TREE (8733). For technical questions specific to your account, please email [e-mail].

Free Interpretation Assistance

The City of Seattle offers free interpretation in your preferred language. Call [phone] to learn about the City of Seattle’s tree codes on private and public property, including tree service provider registration program or registry requirements and application process. When you call, tell our staff your preferred language, to arrange for free assistance in that language.

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Insurance Endorsement Sample