When housing and environmental policy are designed well, they don’t have to compete. New data from Snohomish County proves it.
A recently released county report confirms that the “right tree, right place” approach is delivering real results. Every residential development completed through 2025 met the county’s tree canopy requirements — and nearly one-third exceeded them. Countywide coverage remains above target, with more than 4,600 new trees planted through new homes built across the county.
What the Data Shows
The report reflects what’s possible when environmental standards are clear, workable, and built into the development process from the start. Builders met the requirements. Many went further. And the county’s canopy continues to grow alongside new home construction.
This is the kind of outcome balanced policy is designed to produce.
Why It Matters
At MBAKS, we advocate for land use policies that allow homes to be built without sacrificing community values — including healthy, sustainable neighborhoods. Snohomish County’s approach demonstrates that sustainability and new home construction aren’t in opposition. With the right framework in place, they advance together.
We applaud the County for taking a data-driven approach to this work and for showing what thoughtful, solutions-oriented policy can achieve.
Read the full report from Snohomish County →