Tree Removal Permits: Spokane County vs Kootenai / Bonner / Boundary

What North Idaho & Eastern Washington homeowners should know (before you hire a “tree removal near me” crew)

If you searched “tree removal near me”, you’re probably dealing with a real situation: storm damage, a dead tree, a lean toward the house, or a tree that’s simply in the wrong place. The good news: most removals on private property don’t require a special “tree permit.” The “gotcha” is that public right-of-way (street) trees, shorelines/floodplains, and HOA rules can change what you’re allowed to do.

This guide breaks down the practical rules for Spokane County (WA) and Kootenai / Bonner / Boundary Counties (ID), plus who to contact and what to prepare.

Quick note: Rules can vary by city (Spokane vs Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene vs unincorporated Kootenai County, etc.) and by property type. Use this as a homeowner-friendly roadmap—not legal advice.

Step 1: Is your tree on private property or in the public right-of-way?

This is the #1 permit trigger.

How to tell (fast)

• Street/parkway trees are often between the sidewalk and curb (or close to the road/ alley).

• If the trunk is near a sidewalk/curb/alley or directly under overhead utilities, treat it as “possibly ROW” until confirmed.

• If you’re unsure, call the relevant city/county office before anyone cuts.

In Spokane (City), the Urban Forestry office explicitly says: private property trees do not require a tree permit—the permit focus is public right-of-way trees.

Step 2: Know the most common situations that do require approval

Even when private trees are generally okay, approvals often come up when any of these apply:

• Public right-of-way / street trees (city-managed programs and ordinances)

• HOA / CCRs (private covenants can be stricter than the city/county)

• Development permits (grading, erosion control, building site development, shoreline/floodplain work)

• Public lands (state/federal land—separate permits entirely)

We Can Help

County-by-county: what to expect + who to call

Spokane County, Washington (and City of Spokane rules)

Typical permit reality

• Unincorporated Spokane County: often less about “tree permits” and more about development-related permits (building/land disturbance). Spokane County’s public portal and permitting team can help route you.

• City of Spokane: if your tree is on private property, you do not need a tree permit. If it’s in the public right-of-way, you may need a permit depending on the work.

City of Spokane: Public ROW tree permit highlights

• If you’re unsure whether it’s right-of-way, Spokane Urban Forestry lists: 509-363-5495 and an email contact.

• Right-of-way tree work generally needs a permit, with limited exceptions (minor pruning with specific constraints).

• The City notes emergency hazard mitigation can be performed without a permit in certain cases (emergency pruning/removal), but documentation and follow-up still matter.

Spokane County/City checklist

•  Confirm jurisdiction (City of Spokane vs Spokane Valley vs unincorporated county)

•  Confirm ROW vs private

•  If ROW: contact Spokane Urban Forestry before removal

•  If a building/site project is involved: use Spokane County’s Online Permit Center or call support 509-477-3675 

•  If HOA: check your HOA/CCRs before scheduling

Tree Removal Permits: Kootenai County, Idaho (including Coeur d’Alene)

Typical permit reality

• Unincorporated Kootenai County: many tree removals are handled like normal property maintenance unless tied to site development (building/road/driveway work). County Community Development is the best starting point.

• City of Coeur d’Alene: permits are required for removal of trees within public rights-of-way, and the city discusses replacement requirements and penalties for removal without a permit.

Who to call

• Kootenai County Community Development (permits/forms + help line): (208) 446-1040 

• City of Coeur d’Alene main line: 208-769-2300 

Kootenai County checklist

•  Are you in Coeur d’Alene city limits or county?

•  Is the tree in the public right-of-way? If yes, check CDA’s public tree rules

•  Is this tied to development (clearing for a driveway/road/building site)? Start with County Community Development

•  HOA/CCRs: confirm restrictions first

Tree Removal Permits: Bonner County, Idaho (Sandpoint / Priest River area)

Typical permit reality

Bonner County commonly deals with permits around planning / land use / shoreline / floodplain / stormwater & erosion, not “tree permits” for everyday yard work—unless your removal is part of a regulated project. Their Planning department provides direct contact info and a menu of relevant applications (e.g., floodplain development, stormwater/grading/erosion control, shore land development).

Who to call

• Bonner County Planning: 208-265-1458 | planning@bonnercountyid.gov 

• Bonner County general contact also listed: 208-255-3630 

Bonner County checklist

•  Is your property near water or in a floodplain / shoreline area? Start with Planning

•  Is this part of grading/clearing (land clearing, driveway access, building site)? Start with Planning

•  In-city rules: if you’re inside a city (like Sandpoint), check the city’s right-of-way/urban forestry guidance (often street trees are treated differently).

•  HOA/CCRs: confirm before scheduling

Tree Removal Permits: Boundary County, Idaho (Bonners Ferry / Moyie Springs area)

Typical permit reality

Boundary County Planning & Zoning is the best start for land-use-related approvals. They list direct contact details and note the zoning/subdivision ordinance applies outside incorporated city limits.

Who to call

• Boundary County Planning & Zoning (via Ruen-Yeager & Associates): 208-265-4629 | planning@ruenyeager.com 

Boundary County checklist

•  Are you in city limits (Bonners Ferry / Moyie Springs) or the county?

•  Is this tied to a land-use permit (placement, floodplain development, subdivision/lot split, etc.)? Start with Planning & Zoning

•  If your tree is near a roadway/right-of-way in city limits, check city encroachment/ROW permitting.

HOAs: the “private permit” that surprises people

Even if the city/county says “no permit needed,” your HOA/CCRs may still require:

• Architectural committee approval

• Replacement planting

• Restrictions on removing “signature” or screening trees

Pro tip: Ask your HOA for the tree policy in writing before you schedule removal. It’s faster than arguing after the stump is already ground. 🙂

Right-of-way vs private: what we handle vs what you handle

Homeowner usually handles

• Confirming HOA/CCR rules

• Confirming whether the tree is in ROW vs private (we can help you figure it out, but you may need to be the requester for HOA approvals)

We can help handle (or guide you through)

• Identifying when a job likely touches ROW / utilities / regulated areas

• Documenting tree condition (helpful if a city asks “why removal?”)

• Coordinating the scope so it matches permit requirements (when permits are required)

We’ll confirm permit requirements during your estimate—and if the tree is close to the right-of-way or utilities, we’ll tell you what steps are needed before any cutting begins.

What to have ready when you call (speeds everything up)

• Address + nearest cross street

• 2–4 photos:

  • Full tree + what it could hit

  • Close-up of base/trunk

  • Photo showing curb/sidewalk/alley if nearby

• Whether it’s storm-damaged / leaning / dead / interfering with access

• Whether the tree is near overhead lines