KCC 16.82 requires clearing and grading permits before removing significant trees in unincorporated King County, with stricter limits on critical area buffers, steep slopes, and rural retention areas under the Critical Areas Ordinance.
KCC 16.82 caps removal of significant trees on most lots and requires a clearing permit when thresholds are exceeded or development is proposed. On rural and resource lands, tree retention standards in KCC 21A.38 protect forest cover and salmon habitat in basins like the Cedar River and Snoqualmie. Critical Areas Ordinance buffers under KCC 21A.24 restrict cutting near streams, wetlands, and steep slopes. Hazard trees may be removed with arborist documentation, but stump removal in buffers still needs review.
Unpermitted clearing can trigger stop-work orders, replanting at three to ten times the canopy lost, and civil penalties up to $1,000 per tree per day under KCC 23.32.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle tree removal permits.
See how Kent's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.