Tree Protection in Skagit County, WA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Skagit County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

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

Protected Tree Species

Skagit County's critical areas code designates nest and roost trees for great blue herons, ospreys, pileated woodpeckers and other priority species as protected fish and wildlife habitat, and requires a federally coordinated habitat management plan before altering habitat near a verified bald eagle nest or roost.

Protected Wildlife Habitat Trees in Skagit County

Significant Restrictions

Skagit County Code §§ 14.24.500(4), 14.24.520(3)

(4) The following species and habitats have been designated on a site-specific basis according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitats and Species List, 2023 or as amended, and/or the County’s List of Habitats and Species of Local Importance: (a) Great blue heron nest sites; (b) Vaux’s swifts communal roosts; (c) Pileated woodpecker nest sites; (d) ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parkway Planting

In unincorporated Skagit County, commercial and industrial developments must install street-frontage landscaping under SCC 14.25.070: an eight-foot-wide buffer with trees spaced no more than 30 feet apart along the road frontage. Planning and Development Services reviews the plan with every commercial or industrial permit, and the Alger Rural Village Commercial zone follows the same one-tree-per-30-feet standard under SCC 14.25.080.

Skagit County Street Tree Standards

Some Restrictions

Skagit County Code § 14.25.070

(a) An eight-foot-wide Type III buffer is required on the street frontage of all development within all commercial/industrial zones. ... (i) Trees. Evergreen and deciduous trees, with no more than 50 percent being deciduous, a minimum of six feet in height, and planted at intervals no greater than 30 feet on center, or maximum spacing of one tree for every 30 feet of road frontage may be ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Skagit County ordinances

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