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Permits · Informational

Residential land clearing vs Snohomish County LDA — a plain-English guide

Google often shows county pages first when you search land clearing in Snohomish County. This page translates the homeowner side: what people usually mean by clearing, when to call Planning & Development Services, and how our residential mulching work differs from grading. We are not the county.

Not legal advice. Permit rules depend on your parcel, critical areas, city vs county jurisdiction, and project scope. Confirm with Snohomish County Planning & Development Services (or your city’s permit desk). Vanguard Land Services LLC does not issue permits and does not replace county guidance.

What homeowners usually mean by “land clearing”

Most calls we get are about brush, Himalayan blackberry, and reclaiming a yard or fence line — not building-pad site work. On our site, land clearing means residential vegetation reclaim with forestry mulching. We do not excavate or grade.

What “LDA” means in plain English

LDA stands for land disturbing activity. In unincorporated Snohomish County it often covers clearing and grading tied to soil-moving and drainage thresholds. Exact triggers live in county code and change over time — read the official page rather than treating a blog as the rulebook.

Official starting point: Land Disturbing Activity (LDA) and Stormwater Regulations on snohomishcountywa.gov. City lots (Marysville, Everett, and others) may use city rules — call the right desk.

When to call the county (or city) first

When in doubt, ask PDS or your city before you hire anyone to disturb the ground.

When forestry mulching usually isn’t grading

We grind vegetation in place. Chips stay on site on typical jobs. We do not excavate or regrade lots. That said, location still matters — wetlands, buffers, and steep ground need a site conversation. We may decline or pause while you confirm with the county.

What Vanguard does / does not do

We do

Residential forestry mulching, blackberry/brush, lot cleanup. From $1,200 (+ geo mins). Fixed quotes. Free on-site estimate. Small jobs welcome.

We don’t

Excavation, grading, commercial timber harvest, foundation digs, or pulling permits for you.

Secondary only

Light French drain / drainage talk is secondary — not excavation-heavy drainage redesign.

Practical next steps

  1. Photos + address → free estimate
  2. We flag concerns we see on site
  3. You confirm with county/city if needed
  4. Fixed written quote before work

If your job is residential brush/blackberry mulching, we’re happy to walk the lot after you’ve checked sensitive-area questions. Call (206) 657-7420 · estimator · contact.

Permit FAQ

Do I always need a permit to clear brush on my Snohomish County property?

Not always — it depends. Confirm with Snohomish County PDS or your city. We do not decide permits.

Is forestry mulching considered grading?

We grind vegetation in place; we do not excavate or regrade. Ask the county if your parcel is special.

Can you clear in a wetland buffer?

Wetlands, steep slopes, and critical areas need a site visit and often owner-county confirmation. We may not proceed.

Will you pull permits for me?

No. The owner (or their designer) handles permit questions with the jurisdiction.

What’s the difference between clearing brush and “land disturbing” work?

Brush mulching grinds vegetation in place. Moving soil or changing contours is different risk and often different rules.

Who should I call at the county?

Snohomish County Planning & Development Services — or your city’s permit desk.

How do I get a clearing quote from you?

Photos / estimator → free on-site estimate → fixed written quote. (206) 657-7420.

Not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the county or city before you start work.

Vegetation clearing

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Marysville 98270 · License #VANGULS743OJ · Marysville · FAQ

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