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Clearing and Grading - Land use permit process
Clearing and grading permits regulate clearing and removal of vegetation, excavation, grading and earthwork construction within unincorporated King County. These regulations protect public health, safety and welfare by minimizing stormwater impacts and aquatic and wildlife habitat loss from adverse impacts generated by the removal of vegetation and alteration of landforms. Other protections include water quality from adverse impacts associated with erosion and sedimentation, and critical areas from adverse clearing and grading activities.
A Clearing Permit is required for any removal of trees or vegetation from a critical area or from properties subject to urban clearing standards or clearing restrictions in a special district overlay defined in 21A.38 of the King County Code. Clearing over 7,000 square feet on RA zoned properties or removal of 5,000 board feet of merchantable timber also requires a permit. A separate forest practices permit may also be required.
A Grading Permit is required for any amount of grading around a critical area. Otherwise the threshold for a grading permit is 100 cubic yards or creation of 2,000 square feet of new impervious surface. If more than 500 cubic yards is to be disturbed, a SEPA checklist is required. Exemptions to clearing and grading permit requirements are listed in King County Code, Title 16.82.050.
Apply for clearing and grading
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Property research
Check jurisdiction and zoning to determine whether your property is located in unincorporated King County or is located within city limits.
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Check if you need a pre-application meeting
Large and complicated activities, such as grading proposals for surface mines (e.g., gravel pits) or large highway or pipeline expansions, may require a pre-application conference.
Use the following forms for a pre-application meeting:
Pre-application meeting checklist
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Application
Download the Clearing and Grading Permit Packet and Computer Aided Design (CAD) Templates and Data Resources available below or on our permit materials webpage.
Check our online permits page to see if you can submit these forms through MyBuildingPermit
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Check the cost and timeline
Processing is 90 days unless an Environmental Impact Statement is required.
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Inspections
King County inspects work to ensure code compliance and safety requirements.
Clearing and Grading Permits
Clearing Permit Application Checklist
Clearing and Grading Permit Information
Hazard Tree Removal Information and Application Checklist
Residential Site Plan Requirements
Residential Drainage Review Requirements
Grading and Reclamation Liability Insurance Requirement
SEPA Checklist
SEPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Worksheet Instructions (182KB)
Workhsheet (spreadsheet) (211KB)
SEPA Only Submittal Process
Site Areas Worksheet
Soil Health: Achieving the Post-construction Soil Standard
Information and On-Line Calculator