Pierce County has no standalone permit for cutting a tree on an ordinary developed private lot, but development sites need a tree-conservation plan under PCC 18J.15.030 (retain 30% of significant trees), and clearing or removal in critical areas or beyond limits requires a site development permit.
Homeowners obtain no per-tree removal permit for ordinary developed lots outside a critical area or tree-retention condition. The permitting framework is tied to development and clearing. Under PCC 18J.15.030 (Tree Conservation), new uses and land divisions must file a tree-conservation plan, and 'at a minimum, 30 percent of significant trees on site shall be retained.' Significant trees are defined by species and diameter at breast height in Table 18J.15.030-1 — Douglas Fir at 24-inch or greater, and any 40-inch-plus tree is a Legacy tree. PCC 18J.15.020 requires site-development permits before clearing and caps independent clearing at 35 percent. Retained trees may be removed only as a documented hazard. In critical areas, Title 18E requires hazard-tree replacement (commonly two per tree).
Clearing or removing trees without a required site-development permit, exceeding clearing limits, or removing plan-retained or significant trees without an approved hazard justification violates PCC Chapters 18J and 18E; Planning & Public Works can require replacement plantings plus stop-work orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
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Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
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Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to...
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Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger sy...
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Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider — mainly Tacoma Water and l...
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Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
See how Pierce County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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