Tree Protection in King County, WA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in King County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of King County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Parkway Planting

In unincorporated King County, no one may plant trees, shrubs or other objects in the road right-of-way planting strip without a variance from the county road engineer, and abutting owners must keep vegetation from blocking sightlines.

King County Planting Strip Tree Rules

Significant Restrictions

King County Code § 14.52.040

A. A person shall not place trees, shrubbery, structures or other objects in planting strips located within the right of way of any county road, unless authorized by a variance issued by the county road engineer. B. A person owning property abutting county road right of way shall not allow trees, shrubbery, structures or other objects on the owner's property to retard the ability of the driv...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗