Community Development's Role

The Department of Community Development (DCD) manages timber harvest permit issuance and provides Kitsap County Code compliance oversight for specific timber harvest and tree removal within Kitsap County. DCD processes Class 4 General Permits, e.g., Site Evaluation Permits and Timber Harvest permits. 

The Department of National Resources (DNR) will continue processing Classes 2 & 3 permits.
Please visit DNR online for more information at Forest Practices | WA - DNR.  

• There are no critical areas; including Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas;
• The trees are not required plat or short plat perimeter buffer trees;
• The trees are near a residence (within one tree length and one-half);
• Tree removal is for less than 5,000 board feet of timber;
• A licensed, bonded, and insured tree service will remove the trees as non-merchantable pieces.
• Stumps are retained, and no grading or earthwork is proposed.

KITSAP COUNTY PERMIT TYPES 

Site Evaluations

• Danger Tree
  
• Danger Tree Harvest
  
• View Enhancement - Thinning or Topping
  

Timber Harvest

• Minor is tree clearing of 5 acres or less, tree clearing for a Single Family Residence (SFR) on one tax account number with no critical areas.

• Major is tree clearing of more than 5 acres, large scale commercial timber operations, properties with critical areas (including clearing for an SFR).