Tree service in Lynnwood, Washington

Tree removal permits in Lynnwood

Lynnwood sets one of the lower bars in the region. LMC 17.15.080 defines a significant tree as 6 inches DBH or larger, and 17.15.100 requires a permit to remove one. A few species never count as significant: black locust, cottonwood, native alder and willow, and Lombardy poplar. The exemptions in 17.15.150 cover trees that are dead or diseased (but not from neglect), trees that endanger life or property, and utility hazards. The city may ask for an arborist report.

Development and Business Services issues the permit, and Public Works administers the guidelines. No fee was published, though city guidelines say many single-family permits carry no cost. Measure the trunk at 4.5 feet; if it is 6 inches or more and not one of the listed species, apply before booking a crew. Read the Washington permit guide for how other cities compare.

Every city compared: tree removal permits in Washington.

Source: Development & Business Services; Public Works administers guidelines, LMC 17.15 (17.15.080, 17.15.100, 17.15.150). Checked 2026-10-02.

Storm records for Snohomish County (covers Lynnwood)

One recent snow event sets the tone here. NOAA logged 139 storm reports for Snohomish County since 2016, ranking it 15th of Washington’s 39 counties, and heavy snow leads with 68. High wind adds 26, winter weather 18, ice storm 11, winter storm 8 and strong wind 7, and 82 percent of everything arrives between November and February.

FEMA’s National Risk Index (December 2025) rates ice storm Very High for the county at 98.0 and winter weather Relatively High at 94.0, while strong wind scores only 7.8. Lynnwood falls in the Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett forecast zone. Counts have eased, with 33 reports in the latest three years against 54 in the three before, but ice and snow remain the reason limbs fail.

NWS forecast zones covering the county: Cascades of Snohomish and Northern King Counties; Downtown Everett / Marysville Area; Foothills and Valleys of Snohomish and Northern King Counties; Foothills and Valleys of the North Cascades; Lowlands of Western Skagit and Northwestern Snohomish Counties; Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 2016 to June 2026 · NWS zone-county correlation files (2019 to 2026 versions). Checked 2026-10-02. NOAA Storm Events 2016-2026; zone-based events assigned to every county the NWS zone covers using the zone-county correlation file in force on the event date (2019-04-02 file used for 2016-2018).

Power lines and utilities in Lynnwood

Snohomish County PUD serves the area. The PUD maintains vegetation near its primary lines but states that it does not maintain vegetation around service lines or stand-alone communication lines, so the span to your house is yours to manage. Work within 10 feet of a primary conductor must be done by a qualified electrical worker. Report outages at 425-783-1001 or through the PUD outage center.

The utility hazard exemption in LMC 17.15.150 may apply to a tree threatening a line; confirm with the city first. More in tree removal near power lines and the utility directory.

Snohomish PUD serves all of Snohomish County

Source: utility vegetation-management pages linked above; WAC 296-24-960 (WA L&I). Checked 2026-10-02.

Growing conditions in Lynnwood

Lynnwood is in USDA hardiness zone 9a, mild enough for a wide palette. Since a replacement tree will become significant once it reaches 6 inches DBH, choose a species and planting spot you are happy to keep for decades, and favor forms that carry ice well given the county’s Very High ice rating.

USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 map, by ZIP code).

Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (OSU PRISM ZIP data). Checked 2026-10-02.

Labor index for Lynnwood

BLS reports a $33.85 mean and $32.75 median hourly wage for tree trimmers and pruners in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, from about 310 workers (May 2025). It is a labor cost, not a quote. An arborist report for a permit, rigging, chipping and haul-off sit on top of it in the modeled ranges.

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: $33.85 per hour mean wage for tree trimmers and pruners (BLS, May 2025). This is a labor index, not a price; the modeled crew-hour cost used on this site is $210 (method).

443 landscaping-services establishments were counted in Snohomish County in 2023 (Census County Business Patterns, NAICS 561730).

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 37-3013 · U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, NAICS 561730. Checked 2026-10-02.

ZIP codes and nearby cities

Lynnwood’s ZIP codes are 98036, 98037, 98026 and 98087, and the population grew from 38,568 in 2020 to 42,132 in 2025. Mountlake Terrace is 2 miles away, Edmonds 3, Mill Creek and Shoreline 5, Mukilteo and Bothell 6. Rules change at each city line; the Snohomish County page has the county record.

ZIP codes with the most land inside Lynnwood: 98036980379802698087

• Mountlake Terrace2 miles
• Edmonds3 miles
• Mill Creek5 miles
• Shoreline5 miles
• Mukilteo6 miles
• Bothell6 miles

County page: Snohomish County.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA to place and county relationship files. Checked 2026-10-02.

Tree services in Lynnwood

Each service page carries Lynnwood’s 6-inch rule forward. Removal covers the permit and exemptions; trimming covers pruning and the PUD’s service-line policy; stump grinding covers the 811 call and disposal; and emergency service covers snow and ice failures.

• Tree removal in Lynnwood
• Tree trimming (statewide guide)
• Stump grinding (statewide guide)
• Emergency tree service (statewide guide)
• Arborists and tree health
• Check a license in Washington

What to do next

Measure the trunk at breast height and check the species list. At 6 inches or more, contact Development and Business Services before work, and ask whether an arborist report is needed. For a snow-damaged tree, a risk assessment can support the danger exemption. Check the contractor in the Washington license lookup.