Walla Walla County, WA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Walla Walla County's critical areas code designates habitats and species of local importance on Critical Area Map CA-5B, including Raptor Ferruginous Hawk Habitat and a high-density wintering birds-of-prey area, alongside state and federally listed endangered, threatened and sensitive species under WWCC 18.08.600. WWCC 18.08.640(J) confines tree removal tied to a development permit inside mapped Ferruginous Hawk habitat to the non-nesting season, August through January, and even then limits removal to hazard trees unless Community Development approves more after reviewing a critical area report from a qualified professional.

WWCC 18.08.640(K) adds a seasonal buffer around active nests in that habitat: between March 1 and May 31, no clearing or grading tied to a development permit is allowed within 820 feet of an active Ferruginous Hawk nest, though an applicant can commission a species-specific survey to show a candidate nest tree is not actually occupied and avoid the buffer. These are development-triggered rules, so ordinary work with no development permit is not directly restricted by this subsection, but any subdivision, commercial building, or similar permit application touching the mapped habitat has to work around the seasonal windows.

The county extends specific protection to bald eagle habitat as well: WWCC 18.08.650(A)(3) states that bald eagle habitat is protected under the Washington State Bald Eagle Protection Rules, WAC 232-12-292, which the county applies alongside its own habitat conservation area buffers and critical area report requirements for any activity adjacent to endangered, threatened or sensitive species habitat under WWCC 18.08.650(A)(1) and (2). Violations of the removal timing or nest buffer are treated as unauthorized critical area alterations enforceable under the county's Title 18 and Title 14 permit and penalty provisions.