Forest Practices Application Review Process

Single Family Residential (SFR) not associated with a building permit

Many of the documents are in pdf format. To read these files you'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Forest Practice Application Packet - a short summary of required items
Forest Practices Submittal Checklist (EFF October 2007)

At this time, the County only provides environmental review (SEPA) for certain Class IV General Forest Practices permits. The County is also responsible for lifting development moratoriums  (see Policy 6300 [pdf]) placed when a forest practices activity occurs without the proper permits.  

Although the County does not issue Forest Practice (FP) Permits, permit applications are submitted to the County so that a SEPA review (pdf) can be done.  [See also SEPA Posting Requirements (pdf)]  Once SEPA review is complete, the County will transmit a packet to the applicant which contains the original FP application, threshold determination, SEPA checklist (pdf), site plan and other supporting documentation.  Then, the applicant is responsible for taking the packet to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Sedro-Wooley to obtain FP Permit approval.

What are forest practices activities? Practices related to growing, harvesting or processing timber, including, but not limited to, road construction and maintenance, thinning, salvage, harvesting, reforestation, brush control, and using fertilizers or pesticides. These practices are regulated by the Washington Forest Practices Act (WFPA) and its corresponding rules. The Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates timber harvest and issues Forest Practice permits.

Please go to DNR's website to obtain the most current Forest Practice Application, Base map, info and instructions, direct from the DNR website.

Forest Practices (FP) application submittals are made by appointment only by calling (425) 388-3311 extension 2790.  Your appointment will be at the Customer Support Center, 2nd Floor, County Administration Building East, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett.  Please check in with the Front Counter staff when you arrive for your appointment.  You must pay the applicable fees at the time you submit your application package.

These completed documents are required to be provided at the appointment:  SEPA Checklist, Washington State DNR Forest Practices Application & Base Map, and a Site Plan meeting the County’s requirements. Other items that may be required include a Drainage Plan/Report, Grading Plan/Report, Critical Area Study.

Once your application and other required paperwork is submitted, we will conduct a site visit, check for accuracy between the site plan that has been submitted and the physical characteristics of the site.  We will also determine whether additional reviews are necessary for drainage, critical areas, flood hazard, shoreline management, or grading issues.  If needed, your application will be routed to the appropriate technical reviewers after site review has been completed.  Additional fees may be necessary.

If you wish to remove stumps as part of your forest practices activity, you may need a grading permit (pdf).  (See De-stumping Info (pdf))

If all code requirements have been adequately addressed and an approval can be issued, you will be contacted for an appointment for issuance of the application packet.  You must then take the packet that you are given by the County to DNR at Northwest Region, 919 N. Township Street, Sedro-Wooley, WA  98284-9333, Telephone:  (360) 856-3500 and go through their review process to obtain your Forest Practices Permit.