8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in King County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated King County has no grass-height numeric limit. Tall grass is addressed only when it creates a nuisance, harbors rats, or presents a fire hazard. Rural and ag zones are exempt.
Trimming trees on your own parcel in unincorporated King County usually needs no permit. Trees in critical areas, shoreline buffers, or county rights-of-way have restrictions. Topping is discouraged.
Removing significant trees (6 in DBH or larger) in critical areas or shoreline buffers often needs a KCC 16.82 clearing and grading permit. Forest Practices on large parcels are regulated by WA DNR under RCW 76.09.
King County enforces the Washington Noxious Weed Law (RCW 17.10) through the county Noxious Weed Control Board. Landowners must control Class A and B weeds. Knotweed and tansy ragwort are priority species.
King County does not impose year-round lawn watering days. Seasonal conservation advisories from retail water providers apply in dry summers. Salmon-stream withdrawals are limited under state water rights.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Washington under Department of Ecology policy. In unincorporated King County, rooftop capture for on-site use needs no water right and is promoted for stormwater control.
Native plant landscaping is encouraged in unincorporated King County and required in many critical-area buffer plantings. The Native Plant Salvage Program and King Conservation District offer low-cost natives.
Artificial turf is generally allowed on unincorporated King County residential parcels. Installations in critical areas are restricted because turf acts as impervious surface and can harm salmon streams.
8 cities in King County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
2 verified rules • Tree Removal & Heritage Trees, Weed Ordinances
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
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