Tree Code Update

We are pleased to announce the formation of the Tree Code Update Community Advisory Group.

The application was open from July 28, through August 15, 2025 and a total of 58 community members applied. The City Manager selected 12 members who bring a mixture of experiences in municipal tree code, including property development, applying for tree permits, background in forestry, community tree advocacy, and residents with little experience in tree code.

The Advisory Group will meet seven times starting in October 2025 through mid-2026. The meetings will be held in person at Shoreline City Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend and listen to the discussions, but there will be no opportunity for public comment or participation. Meeting and discussion materials will be available on the Engage Page after each meeting.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday October 21st, at 7:00pm.

Meet the advisory group members and read about why they wanted to join.

• Carla Carroll, Resident – I am interested due to all of the development projects and the significant loss of trees. I support higher density but also want to see more green space and trees saved.
• Craig Bachmann, Arborist – As an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, I am committed to preserving trees for our community and the environment. I also believe effective tree code must balance the needs, costs and risks for property owners without preference or prejudice.
• Steve Johnston, Resident – I am a 40 year resident of Shoreline (RB and Innis Arden) and have been the Natural Reserves Director for the Innis Arden Reserves for more than 10 years. I have a lot of experience with invasive control, native tree planting, and forest management.
• Kethanh Duong, Resident – I would love to be part of the Tree Code Update Community Advisory Committee! Shoreline needs more trees and would enjoy this very much. As a long time resident of Shoreline, I would enjoy giving back to the community and making Shoreline better.
• Erik Ekstrom, Local Developer – I bring the perspective of a real estate developer who has significant experience navigating these codes in Shoreline, as well as many surrounding jurisdictions. It's critical that development regs are in line with policy goals and community needs.
• Melissa Hartley, Resident – I am a home owner that both loves nature but also strives to learn from, understand, and work with it. I would like to help make sure our Tree Code makes sense. I have both planted trees and had to get a permit to remove a tree here in Shoreline.
• Oliver Moffat (Jr.), Young Resident – I'm a recent UW graduate in ecological restoration and public policy, looking to get real-world experience in this field and build up credentials for my resume.
• Alexandra Ruiz, Young Resident – I want to help give insight on what the youths opinions are on each topic. I also want to learn about the matters that are going on inside the city of shoreline.
• Christina Savvides, Resident – I'm a young, low-income homeowner in Shoreline with long-term plans to stay and raise a family here. I care about both affordable housing and protecting our urban forest, and I hope to bring a balanced perspective to the Tree Code Advisory Group.
• Logan Schmidt, Master Builders Association– As MBAKS's Government Affairs Manager for Shoreline, I'm representing local homebuilders and seeking to help shape a tree code that balances housing growth with the protection and enhancement of a healthy, sustainable tree canopy.
• Susanne Tsoming, Resident, Co-Chair of Save Shoreline Trees – Granting me as a representative of Save Shoreline Trees an opportunity to serve as a representative of an important City stakeholder would be appropriate and good fit to the tree code update process.

The City of Shoreline is recruiting applicants to be part of the Tree Code Update Community Advisory Group.

Why apply?

Work with the City to draft the new tree code! The tree code holds the rules for trees on private property.

This advisory group will provide input to inform the draft code and give feedback on key issues, such as tree retention requirements and alignment with the City’s housing goals.

The group will meet up to seven times starting in Fall 2025. Meetings will be held in person at City Hall. You will earn $50 per meeting for your participation.

Who can apply?

Anyone over the age of 16 who lives or works in Shoreline is encouraged to apply. This group will be made up of community members from a wide range of backgrounds, including but not limited to...

• Residents (homeowners and renters)
• Community Advocates
• Business Owners
• Youth Representative (16- 21 years old)
• Local Developers
• Arborist and Landscaping Professionals

Apply today!

Fill out this short Tree Code Advisory Group Application to tell us why you want to join. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Paper copies are available by emailing scarson@shorelinewa.gov or calling 206-801-2561.

On July 14th, 2025, City Council and Planning Commission held a joint Dinner Meeting to discuss the goals of the Tree Code Update. The purpose of the meeting was for City Council and Planning Commission to discuss policy ideas and guidance on key topics for the Tree Code Update.

You can ready the Staff Memo written for the meeting here: July 14th Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting Memo

You can read the full meeting summary at this link: July 14th Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting Summary

Key points discussed at the meeting by Council and Commission members are summarized below.

• Support for better protections for very large and native trees.
• Supported exploring expanding tree retention requirement areas zoned for high density commercial and mixed use development, such as areas near the light rail stations and along Aroura.
• Concern that protections for trees could impede housing development, and that it will be very important to balance tree protections with the City’s housing goals.
• Support for flexibility in the code. There are many competing interests, such as increased housing density, affordable housing, and maintaining trees. These goals should all be balanced.
• Support for charging reasonable fees for tree removal and having a better process to track tree removals.
• Support for exempting trees that are damaging foundations and/or water/sewer lines from the tree code.
• Supportive of developing a tree code that is easy to understand, with consistent requirements.