Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
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Thurston County Washington

Tree Cutting and Forest Land Conversion

Tree removal regulations recently changed. You need a permit before doing these three things on a property in unincorporated Thurston County. For anything else, contact permitting staff for help.

  1. Removing a hazard tree or trees from a property in a designated critical area.
  2. Removing any number of trees from a site to prepare it for future development. 
    • Use the Thurston County Forest Lands Conversion Permit in the Critical Areas section of the Application Forms page. 
  3. Cutting any number of trees to sell. 

Tree Cutting, Timber Harvest, Hazard Tree Removal, Forest Practices, and Permits

Forest practices in unincorporated Thurston County are regulated by the WA State Forest Practices Act (Chapter 76.09 RCW), WA State Rules (Title 222 WAC), and by Thurston County Code Chapter 17.25. Forest practices involve the harvest of merchantable timber.

Forest practices permits are issued in unincorporated Thurston County by either the WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or by Thurston County Community Development. The State Forest Practices Act has five types of forest practices classified into four permit classes (WAC 222-16-050).

WA State Forest Practices Permit Classes
Class I Forest Practices Class I activities include: Christmas tree farms, logging road maintenance, and cutting of less than 5,000 board feet of timber for personal use (firewood). Class 1 forest practices do not require a permit in the absence of Class IV conditions.
Class II and Class III Forest Practices

Generally, if you are harvesting, replanting, and keeping the land in commercial forest products production, the State Forest Practice Act and Rules apply (Class II, III, and IV Special Permits). The WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers the Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09). For more information about obtaining a Forest Practices Permit from DNR, please visit DNR's Forest Practices web page.

WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues permits for commercial timber harvest operations (non-conversion activities) involving clear cutting or thinning operations. APPLY WITH DNR if timber harvest is "directly associated with and supportive of commercial forest product production."

PLEASE NOTE: A six-year development moratorium is placed against any property which has a Class II, III, or IV Special Forest Practices permit issued by DNR, unless an approved Conversion Option Harvest Plan (COHP) has first been obtained from Thurston County.

"Development moratorium" means Thurston County shall deny any and all applications for permits or approvals for a period of time established in Chapter 76.09 RCW. This shall include but not be limited to building permits, septic system permits, right-of-way permits, subdivision approvals, or change of zoning relating to the legal description described on the forest practices permit. The moratorium does not apply to expansions, alterations, or maintenance of existing structures or their accessory structures, nor does the moratorium apply to boundary line adjustments done for purposes of conservation of open space or natural areas.

Forest practices which were commenced without a Forest Practice permit from either DNR or Thurston County will also include a six-year moratorium on development.

 

Class IV General Forest Practices

If you plan to harvest trees and then convert the land to another use—such as building a home, farming, or other development—the Thurston County Forest Lands Conversion Ordinance will apply.

In Thurston County, the Class IV General Forest Practice permit is called the Thurston County Forest Lands Conversion Permit. This permit is required for timber harvest in association with development (conversion) activities. It is available on the County's Permit and Application Forms web page.

PLEASE NOTE: In unincorporated Thurston County (rural areas outside the urban growth areas), you do not need a forest practice permit if the timber harvest removes less than 5,000 board feet within a year for personal use and not marketable (for example for personal use as firewood).

What if my proposal meets the exemptions described above? Any tree cutting within a critical area or buffer still requires a Critical Area Review Permit from Thurston County.

The Thurston County Forest Lands Conversion Ordinance (Chapter 17.25 TCC) establishes the minimum standards and requirements associated with local government review and jurisdiction over certain timber harvest activities. APPLY WITH THURSTON COUNTY if converting the land for some type of development, such as subdivisions, building a residence, and/or agriculture uses.

Environmental review in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is required for all Thurston County Forest Lands Conversion Permit (Class IV General Forest Practice) applications in the rural areas of the county.
 
North County Urban Growth Area Conversion Requirements
Any forest lands conversion proposed for any property located within the Urban Growth Areas for the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A.110 shall comply with TCC 17.25.400. An application for forest lands conversion shall be accompanied by, and considered concurrently with a development proposal for the affected property.

Conversion Option Harvest Plan (COHP)
A six-year moratorium may be avoided if you prepare and submit a Conversion Option Harvest Plan for approval to Thurston County before submitting an application with DNR.

A COHP is a voluntary plan developed by the landowner and approved by Thurston County. It indicates the limits and types of harvest areas, road locations, and open space. Generally, COHPs are for larger properties over five acres. After the County approves the plan, the applicant submits it to the WA Department of Natural Resources as part of their forest practices application. If the landowner follows the approved plan, they maintain the option to convert the property to a non-forestry use later and are not subject to the six-year development moratorium.

Hazard Trees
A Critical Area Review Permit (CARP) is required for removing any trees within a critical area or its buffer. This also includes "hazard trees" within a critical area or buffer that are within striking distance of a residence or residential accessory structure. Hazard tree permits typically require a Tree Risk Assessment prepared by an arborist or qualified tree professional. Hazard trees are defined in the Thurston County Critical Area Ordinance TCC 24. 

A permit is not required to remove trees within a tree length of an existing, permanent structure if all trees are outside of critical areas and buffers.  

Note: All tree removal must comply with Thurston County's critical areas and site development regulations. The landowner is responsible for determining if any permits or reviews are required before starting work. Site development or land clearing permits may be required for the proposed tree removal as well as for the removal of understory vegetation or stumps.