King County, WA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Variance from county road engineer required
- Applies to
- Unincorporated King County road right-of-way
- Enforcer
- Road services division, department of local services
- Owner duty
- Keep sightlines clear of vegetation
Summary
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.
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 driving public to have adequate visibility of pedestrians, other vehicles using, entering or exiting the county road or block the visibility of county road signs and signals.
Full Breakdown
King County Code 14.52.040 bars planting trees, shrubbery, structures or other objects in the planting strip within any county road right-of-way unless the county road engineer issues a variance. Owners of property abutting a county road also can't let trees, shrubs, structures or other objects on their land block the driving public's view of pedestrians, other vehicles, or road signs and signals at intersections. The road services division within the department of local services enforces the standard; violators get a notice under 14.52.020 setting a deadline to fix the obstruction, and unresolved cases proceed to legal remedies including equity or law.
Violations & Fines
Plant without a variance, or let vegetation block sightlines, and the county road engineer can order removal; owners who miss the deadline face legal action, including equitable or civil remedies under 14.52.040(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the strip between the sidewalk and street in unincorporated King County?
Does this rule cover Seattle parking strips?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington tree protection overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.