Landscaping Rules in Spokane County, WA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Spokane County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Spokane County's cable franchise code lets a franchisee trim trees that overhang county streets, alleys, sidewalks and rights-of-way whenever branches threaten to touch its wires or cables, after giving affected property owners advance notice. The county can instead take over the trimming itself, or supervise it, at the franchisee's expense.
Tree Trimming Over Streets in Spokane County
Light RestrictionsSCC 7.40.150(f)
Upon reasonable advance notice to impacted owners, the franchisee shall have the authority to trim trees upon and overhanging streets, alleys, sidewalks, and public ways and places of the county so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires and cables of the franchisee, except that at the option of the county, such trimming may be done by it or under its supe...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In unincorporated Spokane County, cutting trees for sale is a timber harvest under SCC Chapter 3.19, and a county Timber Harvest Permit is required on land platted after January 1, 1960, on land being converted to another use, and on any urban growth area land where a harvest is planned. Cutting under 5,000 board feet in 12 months for personal use is exempt, as is hazard tree removal.
Spokane County Tree Removal and Timber Harvest Permits
Some RestrictionsSpokane County Code § 3.19.040(c), (e); § 3.19.050
The following forest practices are exempt from the previsions of this chapter and a timber harvest permit shall not be required: ... (c) Cutting and removal of less than five thousand board feet (i.e., one truck load approximately thirty-three feet in length) of timber (including live, dead or down material) for personal use (i.e., firewood, fence posts, on-site construction in any twelve-month...
Weed Ordinances
State law (RCW 17.10) requires every Spokane County property owner to eradicate Class A noxious weeds and control designated Class B and C weeds on their land. The Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board, established in 1970, enforces it through notice and, if ignored, county-performed control at the owner's cost.
Weed Control Duty in Spokane County
Some RestrictionsRCW 17.10.170
If the owner does not take action to control the noxious weeds in accordance with the notice, the county board may control them, or cause their being controlled, at the expense of the owner. The amount of the expense constitutes a lien against the property and may be enforced by proceedings on the lien.
Native Plants
Spokane County's landscaping code directs developers to use native vegetation and retain existing plantings wherever possible, and it backs that preference with a real credit: any healthy existing tree twelve inches or more in diameter counts as three required landscape trees under section 14.806.040(1)(e). The credit applies to commercial, industrial, multi-family and planned-unit developments covered by chapter 14.806.
Native Plant Landscaping Credit in Spokane County
Light RestrictionsSCC 14.806.000; 14.806.040(1)(e)
Whenever possible, native vegetation should be used and existing vegetation in the natural and man-made landscape should be retained. Xeriscaping is encouraged to promote water conservation, reduce maintenance requirements, and decrease flooding potential in areas with high groundwater levels. ... e.When existing trees and other vegetation serves the same or similar function as the required lan...
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