Do You Need a Permit to Clear Land in Spokane County?
Often something applies. Clearing forestland to convert it to another use is a Class IV forest practice that needs DNR approval unless a local government regulates it. Spokane County adds erosion and sediment provisions, Ecology adds a one-acre stormwater permit, and land clearing fires are generally prohibited.
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Do you need a permit to clear land in Spokane County?
| Agency | Trigger | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington DNR | Class IV forest practice: clearing forestland for conversion to another use, unless a local government regulates it | RCW 76.09.050 |
| Spokane County Building and Planning | Land disturbance incl. clearing and logging; engineered erosion and sediment plan over 5,000 cubic yards; site plan shows entrance, barrier, cut and fill | BP-11 (REV 03/2025) |
| Washington Department of Ecology | Sites disturbing one acre or more, or smaller sites in a larger plan, where stormwater can reach surface water; apply 60 days ahead for standard coverage | Construction stormwater permit page |
| Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Hydraulic project in or near state waters | About Hydraulic Project Approvals |
| Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency | Land clearing fires are generally prohibited; narrow exception decided by DNR | Outdoor Burning page |
Sources are named in the table; confirm current rules with each office before clearing.
When is clearing a Class IV forest practice?
RCW 76.09.050 defines Class IV as forest practices other than those in Class I or II, including those on lands that are not to be reforested because of the likelihood of future conversion to urban development and those with a potential for substantial impact on the environment. It says no Class II, III or IV forest practice may be started unless DNR has received notification or approved an application, except for practices a local government regulates. Where the county has taken over that role, the county decides; ask Spokane County Building and Planning and DNR's Northeast Region which applies to your parcel.
What does Spokane County add?
The county's BP-11 brochure says erosion and sediment requirements apply to major and minor land-disturbing activities, and lists clearing, grading, filling, logging and excavation as examples. Projects over 5,000 cubic yards need an engineered plan. Smaller ones can meet the standards with a stabilized construction entrance and silt fence or straw wattle, and a building permit site plan shows both plus total cut and fill.
When does the state stormwater permit apply?
Ecology says its construction stormwater permit covers sites that disturb one acre or more, and smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan disturbing one acre or more, when stormwater could run off or enter a conveyance that leads to surface waters. One acre is 43,560 square feet.
When does work near water need an HPA?
Its list includes culverts, stream bank protection and stream channel relocation. Clearing that stays well away from water may not need one; clearing at a stream crossing might.
Can you burn cleared material?
| Material | Position |
|---|---|
| Land clearing fires | Generally prohibited |
| Exception: residential land clearing | Fire to abate or prevent a forest fire hazard; material from under one acre of forested land; parcel of five acres or more in non-commercial ownership; DNR determines the criteria are met and issues the permit |
| Yard and garden debris | Not allowed for most residents; eligible inside fire districts 2, 5, 11 and 12 |
| Silvicultural debris on unimproved land | DNR permit or rule burn programs, outside the county's 13 cities and towns and urban growth areas |
| Garbage and burn barrels | Prohibited statewide |
Source: Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, Outdoor Burning page. DNR's own burn permit page separately says DNR does not permit burning of debris from land clearing operations; ask DNR whether the exception fits before planning a fire.
Who helps pay?
DNR's financial assistance program for wildfire resilience and forest health shares the cost of qualifying treatments up to a predetermined amount for non-federal owners of fewer than 5,000 forested acres. See the cost-share page.
How do you check a contractor?
What to settle before the machine arrives
- Mark the property line and the trees that stay, so the boundary is clear on the ground.
- Ask DNR or the county which office decides on your parcel, since forest practice and local rules overlap.
- Check the fire-season closure status for the day the work is planned.
- Decide where cut material goes: left as mulch, piled for chipping or hauled off.
- Photograph the ground before and after, so bare areas and erosion cover are easy to point to.
- Keep any approvals or confirmations together with the written scope.
Related pages
Common questions
Do I need a permit to clear land in Spokane County?
Often something applies. Clearing forestland to convert it to another use is a Class IV forest practice needing DNR approval unless a local government regulates it, and the county has erosion and sediment provisions for land disturbance.
Who decides, DNR or the county?
Where a local government has the authority it regulates conversion instead of DNR. Ask Spokane County Building and Planning and DNR's Northeast Region which applies to your parcel.
What is a Class IV forest practice?
RCW 76.09.050 sets the classes. Class IV covers practices other than Class I or II, including those on lands not to be reforested because of likely conversion to urban development.
Does an erosion plan need an engineer?
The county brochure says projects with over 5,000 cubic yards of land-disturbing activity need an engineered erosion and sediment control plan.
When does Ecology's stormwater permit apply?
At one acre or more of disturbance, if stormwater can reach surface water. Standard coverage must be applied for at least 60 days before discharge.
When is an HPA needed?
Before work that uses, diverts, obstructs or changes the bed or flow of state waters.
Can I burn cleared brush?
Land clearing fires are generally prohibited in Spokane County, with one narrow exception decided by DNR.
Where is DNR's office for Spokane County?
DNR's Northeast Region handles its financial assistance program for Spokane County; the contact is on the cost-share page.
Do cities differ?
Yes. Inside a city or town the city's rules apply; ask the city.
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