Tree removal permit rules in Clark County, WA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Clark County has no general permit for removing a single yard tree, but commercial-scale tree cutting is a forest practice under RCW 76.09 and CCC 40.260.080, and removing trees in or near wetlands, streams, or habitat areas requires review. An approved forest practice can trigger a six-year development moratorium.
In unincorporated Clark County, cutting trees for timber is regulated as a forest practice under the state Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09) and CCC 40.260.080. Removing trees within or near critical areas, wetlands, habitat conservation areas (CCC 40.440), or stream buffers requires wetland and habitat review. Homeowners clearing ordinary landscape trees outside critical areas generally do not need a county tree-removal permit, though city rules differ.
Unauthorized clearing in critical areas or unpermitted forest practices can bring stop-work orders, restoration requirements, and civil penalties under Title 40 code enforcement.
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See how Clark County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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