Forest practices permit
What is the purpose of a forest practices permit?
Forest practices permits are designed to protect public resources while assuring that Washington continues to be a productive timber growing area.
What activities require this type of permit?
A forest practice permit is required whenever more than 5000 board feet of merchantable timber is harvested from an area or property.
Forest practices fall into four classifications (see forest practices for detailed information). 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 (DNR) and do not require a clearing permit from King County DDES.
Class IV-General forest practices are administered by King County through DDES. Please refer to Class IV-General forest practices for the type of Class IV forest practice permit that is processed in a similar manner as a standard clearing and grading permit and the type involving a long term forest management plan. In addition, DDES also reviews Conversion Option Harvest Plans (COHP) which can relieve a landowner from the mandatory development moratorium associated with forest practice permits issued by DNR.
How much will it cost?
See DDES' current fee schedule for an estimate and Class IV-General forest practices fee information.
Where can I get an application?
- Refer to Class IV-General forest practices
- Refer to the Conversion Option Harvest Plans Packet for those application materials
- Refer to the Forest Practice Moratorium Relief Packet for those application materials
- Request an application packet by mail by calling DDES customer service at 206-296-6600 or
- Pick up an application packet at DDES in Renton (see map and directions).
How do I submit my application?
See information on pre-applications as a pre-application meeting is required prior to filing a COHP application. For more information, refer to the individual application forms in the packets above and to Applying for a permit at DDES.
Notes / Comments
For more information, refer to
- Forest practices
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources (external link)
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Division (external link)
- or contact
DNR South Puget Sound Region Office
950 Farman Street N.
PO Box 68
Enumclaw, 98022-0068
Phone: 360-825-1631
E-mail: southpuget.region@wadnr.gov
Legal authority
Chapter 76.09 of the Revised Code of Washington (external links)
Title 222 of the Washington Administrative Code (external links)
Administered by
Washington Department of Natural Resources
DDES administers Class IV-General forest practices permits
Contact
For questions about Class IV-General forest practices permits or COHPs, contact DDES customer service at 206-296-6600 and ask to speak with the Site Development Services Section.