Tree Service and Landscape Contractor Requirements
Tree Service Contractors
The following are requirements for qualification to perform pruning or removal work on public trees in planting strips, right-of-way, or any other public place:
• Must be an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist or ISA certified tree worker. Supervision by an ISA Certified Arborist does not meet ordinance requirements.
• Must have sent photograph identification and ISA Certification # to Spokane Urban Forestry.
• Must have a City of Spokane business license and be licensed and bonded in compliance with the City Risk Management requirements.
• Must apply for a street tree permit and usually an obstruction permit from the Construction Services Department, 3rd floor, City Hall Building, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard. A permit is required regardless of the size of the sections to be removed from the tree.
• Must follow ISA recommendations and ANSI code.
The following is an excerpt from the City of Spokane Municipal Code regarding tree services:
Title 10 Regulation of Activities
Division II: License Code
Chapter 10.25 Commercial Tree Work
Section 10.25.010 Commercial Tree License
A. Any person retained to prune, plant or remove a street tree or shrub must be licensed to perform commercial tree work by the City unless such person is supervised by the holder of a license.
B. A license to perform commercial tree work is issued to each applicant who meets the following qualifications:
1. Is, or has an employee who is, an arborist certified through the International Society of Arboriculture.
2. Uses only International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist or certified tree workers in performing
work which involves tree climbing or tree maintenance.
3. Has not been found in violation of any requirements of chapter 12.02 SMC within the preceding year.
4. Maintains liability insurance in the amount established by the director of risk management.
C. The license expires one year from the date of issuance, or sooner if the liability insurance lapses.
D. Licenses required by this section are class III licenses under chapter 4.04 SMC.
E. The City may revoke the license when the licensee commits any of the following acts or omissions:
1. Knowingly violates any of the provisions of chapter 12.02 SMC or any of the standards established in the
arboriculture manual.
2. Knowingly combines or conspires with another person by permitting one’s license to be used by such
other person unless employed by the licensee.
Revocation shall be for a period of one year for the first violation, two years for the second violation and permanent for the third violation.
Date Passed: Monday, June 4, 2007
Effective Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Recodification ORD C34041 Section 1
Landscape Contractors
Important information for landscape contractors
Please obtain your street tree planting permit before ordering trees for street tree plantings. You may not be able to plant trees already purchased if the species are not approved by the City of Spokane Urban Forestry Program. Check requirements below.
Also:
Please review City of Spokane planting specifications carefully. Trees not planted according to these specifications may be required to be removed and replanted according to specifications.
Requirements for qualification to plant public trees:
• Must apply for a street tree permit, before selecting a tree, from Spokane Urban Forestry.
• Must choose a tree in accordance with Spokane Urban Forestry Recommended Street Tree List.
• Must follow planting specification diagram.
• Trees designated on landscape architect’s plan may not necessarily be approved. Please check to make sure the landscape architect has gotten approval for the trees specified in the plan.
To be acceptable, the plants and the work site shall be in compliance with all specifications contained in the SMC and the Arboriculture Specifications and Standards Guidelines. The permit holder shall be obligated to make necessary modifications to plants in order for approval of the required street tree permit.
