Forest practices - Land use permit process

Forest practices are defined broadly as "any activity conducted on or directly pertaining to forest land and relating to growing, harvesting or processing timber ..." (RCW 76.09.020(10))

A forest practice permit is required whenever more than 5,000 board feet of merchantable timber is harvested from an area or property.

For permitting information with King County, refer to forest practices permit.

Application and cost information

A pre-application meeting is required before filing a Conversion Option Harvest Plans Packet, both can be found below. 

Class IV-General forest practice permits are administered by King County through the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division (Permitting). This permit is often approved as an adjunct to another development permit such as a building permit or residential subdivision and in this circumstance would not require filing a separate application. If no other development is being proposed, a separate application for the Class IV forest practice would have to be filed with the department. This type of Class IV forest practice permit is processed in the same manner as a standard clearing and grading permit application materials webpage and uses the same fee schedule.

A Forest Practice Moratorium Relief Packet is available below.

Check our online permits page to see if you can submit these forms through MyBuildingPermit

The 4 classes of forest practice

Class I and II forest practices on properties located outside of the Urban Growth Area and Class III and IV-Special forest practices are permitted through the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and do not require a clearing permit from King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division (Permitting).

Class I

Class I forest practices are "minimal or specific forest practices that have no direct potential for damaging a public resource." They include such things as the growing and harvesting of Christmas trees, tree planting and seeding, cutting and/or removal of less than 5000 board feet of timber for personal use (RCW 76.09 and WAC 222-16-050(3)(a-s)).

Class II

Class II forest practices are those "which have a less than ordinary potential for damaging a public resource" and include salvage of logging residue and construction of 600 feet or more of road.

Class II forest practices do not include forest practices:

1. On lands that have or are being converted to another use
2. Which require a hydraulic project approval (HPA) from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
3. Are within "shorelines of the state" as defined in RCW 90.58.030
4. Are on lands located within the Urban Growth Area of any jurisdiction (see RCW 76.09.050(1))

Class III

Class III forest practices include forest practices that require an HPA, are within Shorelines of the state, involve any filling of wetlands and are not otherwise classified as a Class I, II, or IV forest practice.

Class IV

Class IV forest practices have been defined by the Forest Practices Board to be either general or special.

Class IV-Special forest practices have the potential to cause a substantial impact on the environment. They include certain aerial application of pesticides, ground application of pesticides within a Type A or B wetland, forest practices on lands designated critical habitat of state listed threatened or endangered species, and certain harvest activities within geologically unstable areas.

Class IV-General forest practices are administered by King County through Permitting. This approval is often granted as an adjunct to another development permit such as a building permit or residential subdivision and in this circumstance would not require filing a separate application. If no other development is being proposed, a separate Clearing and Grading permit application need to be filed with Permitting. This permit would include forest practices approval. These are forest practices on (1) lands that have or are being converted to another use or (2) forest practices which would otherwise be Class III but which are taking place on lands which are not to be reforested because of likelihood of future conversion to urban development. Class I and Class II forest practices located within the UGA are, by definition, Class IV-General (see RCW 76.09.050).

Other permits or regulations

Additional information on the forest practice rules and regulations and permits and/or approvals for forest practices over which the Forest Practices Board and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is available through the DNR Forest Practices webpage or through the DNR regional offices.

Pre-Applications

Pre-Application Meeting Request

Information (234KB)

Pre-Application Meeting Requests and Waivers

Information (180KB)

Pre-Application Waiver Request

Application (148KB)

Moratorium relief 

In some cases, where a forest practice was fraudulently obtained or other special circumstances exist, a landowner may request relief from the development moratorium. King County has several programs available that would enable a landowner to obtain a state approved forest practice permit and still preserve the right to develop all or portions of the property without being encumbered by the six year development moratorium. Learn more in our Forest Practice Moratorium Relief packet on our permit applications and materials webpage.

Landowners may obtain partial relief from the 6-year development moratorium by developing a long-term forest management plan in advance of harvest. The forest management plan is reviewed and approved by the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Division. By designating a specific area to be developed in the future, this area is excluded from the moratorium.

Forest Practice Moratorium Relief

Forest Practice Moratorium Relief: Application

Form (81KB)

Forest Practice Moratorium Relief: Instructions and Information

Form (79KB)

Forest Practice Moratorium Relief: Requirements Checklist

Form (152KB)