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Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE CI-196 CODE INTERPRETATION #: MUNICIPAL CODE RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations SECTIONS:
REFERENCE: RMC 4-4-130H.1.b.v, Tree Credit Table
SUBJECT: Correction to Tree Credit Table – Preserved Tree Size Categories BACKGROUND: Renton Municipal Code, section 4-4-130H.1.b.v. establishes the tree credit
values assigned to both new and preserved trees for the purposes of meeting
minimum tree retention requirements. The current table lists “Preserved tree
10 – 12 caliper inches” as receiving 5 tree credits and “Preserved tree 12 – 15
caliper inches” as receiving 6 tree credits.
However, because “12 caliper inches” appears at both the upper end of the
10–12 category and the lower end of the 12–15 category, a preserved 12-inch
caliper tree is simultaneously assigned two different credit values: 5 credits
and 6 credits. This creates an internal inconsistency, uncertainty for
applicants, and administrative ambiguity for staff when determining
compliance with minimum tree credit requirements.
The surrounding table structure indicates that each caliper size category is
intended to be mutually exclusive and sequential (e.g., 6–9, 10–12, 16–18,
19–21 inches). Based on the progression of increments and the consistent 3-
inch range that occurs across all preserved tree categories, the “12–15
caliper inches” category should begin at 13 inches to maintain consistent
intervals.
DECISION: Amend RMC 4-4-130H.1.b.v. to correct the preserved tree size categories by revising the 6-credit range from “12–15 caliper inches” to “13–15 caliper inches.” This clarification removes the duplicate assignment of credit values and ensures that a 12-inch preserved tree receives a single credit value (5 credits), consistent with the intended table structure.
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JUSTIFICATION: Amend RMC 4-4-130H.1.b.v to revise the preserved tree size categories by
changing “12–15 caliper inches” to “13–15 caliper inches.” This corrects the
duplicate assignment for 12-inch preserved trees and restores the intended
sequential size ranges. ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL: _______________________________________ Gina Estep
EFFECTIVE DATE: _______________________________________
BINDING Under principles of judicial finality, administrative code
interpretations that are not timely appealed are binding.
APPEAL PROCESS: To appeal this determination, a written appeal accompanied by the required filing fee must be filed with the City's Hearing Examiner (1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, 425-430-6551) no more than 14 days from the date of this decision. Section 4-8-110 of the Renton Municipal Code provides further information on the appeal process. DISCLAIMER: Excerpts from the Renton Municipal Code shown below may not contain the most recently codified text. In such instances, code amendments implemented through this Administrative Code Interpretation shall be construed to affect the current code and past/future Administrative Code Interpretations not yet codified in the same manner as shown below. Should any conflicts result, the Administrator shall determine the effective code.
SPECIFIED CODE
SECTIONS SHALL BE
READ AS FOLLOWS:
v. Tree credit value for each tree, existing or new, is assigned as shown in
the following table:
TREE SIZE
TREE
CREDITS
New small species tree 0.25
New medium species tree 1
New large species tree 2
Preserved tree 6 – 9 caliper
inches
4
Preserved tree 10 – 12 caliper
inches
5
Preserved tree 12 13 – 15
caliper inches
6
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Preserved tree 16 – 18 caliper
inches
7
Preserved tree 19 – 21 caliper
inches
8
Preserved tree 22 – 24 caliper
inches
9
Preserved tree 25 – 28 caliper
inches
10
Preserved tree 29 – 32 caliper
inches
11
Preserved tree 33 – 36 caliper
inches
12
Preserved tree 37 caliper
inches and greater
13
Example: A 0.22 net acre (9,583.2 square
feet) lot would need seven (7) tree credits
(30 x 0.22 = 6.6, rounded up to 7). The tree
credit requirements for the lot could be met
by retaining one existing seventeen-inch
(17") tree (seven (7) tree credits) or by
planting three (3) new large species trees
(two (2) tree credits each) and one new
medium species tree (one tree credit).
STAFF CONTACT:
Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner, 425-430-0340