HB 2267 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning urban forest management ordinances.

HB 2267 requires Washington's Department of Commerce to create voluntary model ordinances for local governments to manage urban tree canopy. It directs cities and counties to prioritize avoiding tree removal (especially for single-family homes), minimizing impacts when removal is needed, and compensating through replanting or tree banks for larger developments (two+ homes). The model includes incentives like density bonuses, reduced parking requirements, or lower lot size rules to encourage developers to retain trees without limiting housing. Local governments can choose to adopt these models, which also provide guidance on scientific tree selection, cost estimates for maintenance, and measuring benefits like stormwater reduction. The bill does not mandate adoption but aims to standardize tree protection while balancing development needs.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Last action Feb 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify that tree protection incentives apply differently based on the size of the residential development. Small residential projects (fewer than two dwelling units) must strictly avoid removing trees, while larger projects (two or more units) are only required to avoid removal if it does not limit how many homes can be built.
Scope change
The scope of tree removal restrictions was narrowed for larger residential developments, allowing developers to proceed with tree removal if avoiding it would constrain the proposed housing density.
REQUIREMENT

Added a distinction between residential developments of fewer than two dwelling units and those with two or more units regarding the priority of avoiding tree removal.

For larger developments (two or more units), the requirement to avoid tree removal is now conditional on not constraining the proposed residential density.

Incentives for retaining trees are now explicitly limited to developers of two or more residential dwelling units on a lot.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors