Unincorporated Spokane County has no general urban tree-removal permit for private yards. A permit-style review is triggered when the tree is inside a mapped critical area or buffer under the Critical Areas Ordinance (SCC Title 11), or when it is a required landscape tree that must be replaced if removed.
Spokane County does not operate a citywide-style tree ordinance for private residential lots the way the City of Spokane does with its urban forestry permits. The key regulatory trigger is the Critical Areas Ordinance (SCC Title 11 / Chapter 11.20): no action may result in alteration of a wetland, fish and wildlife habitat conservation area, or geologically hazardous area, or their buffers, 'except in conformance with this ordinance,' and riparian buffers are to remain in native vegetation. Clearing or grading in those areas requires county review. Separately, trees installed as part of an approved SCC 14.806 landscape plan that die must be removed and replaced by the owner. Verify your parcel's critical-area status before removing significant trees.
Unpermitted vegetation removal in a critical area or buffer is enforced under SCC Title 11 and may require restoration/replanting plus penalties. Removing required landscape trees without replacement violates SCC 14.806.160.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Home composting is allowed in Spokane County and is not separately permitted. Compost must be managed so it does not become a nuisance, attract vermin, or cr...
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Spokane County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating artificial turf on residential property. Synthetic lawns are allowed. In regulated develop...
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Spokane County's Zoning Code actively favors native vegetation. Chapter 14.806 states that whenever possible native vegetation should be used and existing ve...
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Collecting rooftop rainwater is legal in Spokane County without a water-right permit. Under Washington Department of Ecology's 2009 policy, on-site storage a...
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Spokane County itself publishes no countywide lawn-watering schedule. Outdoor watering rules are set by each water purveyor: the City of Spokane and local wa...
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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 lan...
See how Spokane County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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