Long-term commercially significant forest resource lands of Lewis County are classified according to the following:
(1) 
Private Forest Land Grades of the Washington State Department of Revenue (WAC 458-40-530).
(a) 
The land grade system incorporates consideration of growing capacity, productivity, and soil composition of the land. Forest land of long-term commercial significance will generally have a predominance of the higher private forest land grades. However, the presence of lower private forest land grades within the areas of predominantly higher grades need not preclude designation of forest land.
(b) 
The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development also recommends that each county determine which land grades constitute forest land of long-term commercial significance, based on local and regional physical, biological, economic, and land use considerations.
(c) 
The following table is a cross reference of tree species, growth potential, and corresponding land grades on a 50-year basis:
Washington State Private
Forest Land Grades
Species
Growth Potential
Land Grade*
Douglas Fir
136 feet and over
1
118 - 135 feet
2
99 - 117 feet
3
84 - 98 feet
4
under 84 feet
5
Western Hemlock
136 feet and over
1
116 - 135 feet
2
98 - 115 feet
3
83 - 97 feet
4
68 - 82 feet
5
under 68 feet
6
Red Alder
117 feet and over
6
under 117 feet
7
*Land grade 1 = highest; land grade 7 = lowest
(d) 
The predominant species growing in Lewis County is Douglas fir. Most of Lewis County is composed of Land Grade 2 and Land Grade 3.
(e) 
A predominance of Forest Land Grade 2 and Forest Land Grade 3 shall be required for designation as forest land of long-term commercial significance.
(2) 
Minimum Block Size. A minimum block size of 5,000 contiguous acres managed as forest lands. These blocks consist of predominantly large parcels and can be in multiple ownerships.
(3) 
Property Tax Classification. Property in the block is assessed or eligible to be assessed as open space or forest land pursuant to Chapter 84.33 or 84.34 RCW.
(4) 
Availability of Public Services Conducive to the Conversion of Forest Land. The property is located outside a designated urban growth area (UGA).
(5) 
Proximity of Forest Land to Urban and Suburban Areas and Rural Settlements. Forest lands of long-term commercial significance shall be located outside the urban and suburban areas and rural settlements. In addition to being located outside the UGAs, long-term forest lands should be far enough from urban areas that land use conflicts are minimized.
(6) 
Local Economic Conditions Which Affect the Ability to Manage Timber Lands for Long-Term Commercial Production. Economic conditions should be conducive to long-term timber management. In Lewis County, unfavorable economic conditions include locations with high administrative costs due to complaints from nearby landowners, locations requiring extensive security control efforts, and locations in which allowable forest practices such as burning and chemical applications will significantly interfere with other permitted land uses. Favorable economic conditions include Land Grade 2 and Land Grade 3 forest soils, which provide (in conjunction with large parcel sizes) the growth potential to manage timber lands for long-term commercial production.
(7) 
History of Land Development Permits Issued Nearby. For Lewis County, this means that recent residential development is an indicator of a pattern or direction of growth that may be encroaching on the forest land. The above criteria are applied throughout unincorporated Lewis County to designate those forest lands of long-term commercial significance. Those lands that currently meet the criteria are shown on map entitled Lewis County Forest Lands, March 1996.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.1, 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
Lands of Lewis County meeting the classification criteria for forest resource lands are hereby designated as forest resource lands in the following categories:
(1) 
Forest Land of Long-Term Commercial Significance. Primary forest lands are those forest lands meeting the classification criteria within the minimum blocks of 5,000 contiguous acres and all federally owned lands managed for their forest resources.
(2) 
Forest Land of Local Importance. Forest lands of local importance are those forest lands meeting the criteria of LCC § 17.30.420(1), (3), (4), (6) and (7) which fall outside a 5,000-contiguous-acre block and meet the following criteria:
(a) 
Formal Designation ("Opt-In"). Forest lands of local importance shall only be designated by the board of county commissioners upon a petition for such designation by the landowner pursuant to the requirements of LCC § 17.30.560(2).
(b) 
Minimum Acreage. Forest lands of local importance shall have a minimum parcel size of 20 acres. However, smaller parcel sizes shall be permitted for designation upon a showing of profitability in the form of a report from a qualified forester to provide a factual basis for designation as a forest land of local importance.
(c) 
Minimum Period for Commitment to Designation. The landowner petitioning for designation as a forest land of local importance shall be required to commit the property to remain in that designation for 10 years. The designation may be renewed by the landowner at the end of the 10-year period; provided, that renewal of the designation shall not be considered an amendment to the zoning regulations.
(d) 
Current Forest Land Use. The property is in open space or forest land classification pursuant to Chapter 84.33 or 84.34 RCW.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.2, 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179C § 1, 2003; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
The intent and purpose of this section is to maintain and enhance resource-based industries, encourage the conservation of productive forest lands and discourage incompatible uses. Nothing in this section shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the Washington State Forest Practices Act.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.3, 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
See Chapter 17.42 LCC, Table 2, Land Use Summary.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.3(A), 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179C § 1, 2003; Ord. 1179M § 1, 2007; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016; Ord. 1274 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
The minimum lot area for any new subdivision, short subdivision, large lot subdivision or exempt segregation of property shall be as follows, except for parcels to be used for uses and activities provided under LCC § 17.30.440 through § 17.30.470:
(1) 
Primary Forest Land. The minimum lot area for subdivision of primary forest lands shall be 80 acres.
(2) 
Forest Land of Local Importance. The minimum lot area for subdivision of forest lands of local importance shall be 20 acres.
(3) 
Subdivision as an Incidental Use. A residential subdivision of land for sale or lease within primary or local forest lands, whether lots are over or under five acres in size, may be approved under the following circumstances:
(a) 
The total density, including existing dwellings, is not greater than one unit per 10 acres for resource lands and one unit per 20 acres for wetlands and areas mapped with hydric soils, steep slopes and flood hazard areas.
(b) 
Adequate water and provisions for septic capacity are in fact present.
(c) 
The project affects none of the prime soils on the contiguous holdings at the time of the adoption of this chapter, including all roads and accessory uses to serve the development; provided, that prime lands previously converted to nonforestry uses are not considered prime forest lands for purposes of this section.
(d) 
The plat shall set aside the balance of the parcel in a designated forest tract.
(e) 
The plat shall contain the note included in LCC § 17.30.370.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.4, 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179, 2002; Ord. 1179C § 1, 2003; Ord. 1179M § 1, 2007; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
(1) 
Within Lands Adjacent to or Abutting Primary Forest Resource Lands. All structures shall maintain a minimum setback of 150 feet from property lines, except for structures not requiring building permits, and 200 feet for all wells, and uses and activities provided under LCC § 17.30.440 through § 17.30.470; provided, however, the administrator may reduce the structure's setback where:
(a) 
It is not reasonable to accomplish the setback given the topography, soils, or shape of the site.
(b) 
The owner requesting the administrative variance records a forestry easement for the benefit of the abutting primary forest resource lands, granting a right to all normal and customary forestry practices in accordance with best management practices.
(2) 
Within Land Adjacent to or Abutting Forest Resource Lands of Local Importance. All structures shall maintain a minimum setback of 150 feet from property lines, except for structures not requiring building permits, and 100 feet for all wells, and uses and activities provided under LCC § 17.30.440 through § 17.30.470; provided, however, that the 150-foot resource lands setback shall not be required where the owner of lands adjacent to or abutting forest lands of local importance records a forestry easement for the benefit of the abutting forest resource lands of local importance, granting a right to all normal and customary forestry practices in accordance with best management practices.
(Ord. 1151A, 1997; Ord. 1151 § 4.5(A), 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179M § 1, 2007; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
[Reserved].
(Ord. 1151 § 4.5(B), 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179M § 1, 2007; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
No permit from Lewis County shall imply any permanent vehicular access to residential properties across nonowned land.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.5(C), 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179M § 1, 2007; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
Land surveys or other boundary line determinations shall be required in conjunction with the issuance of a building permit on property subject to the setback requirements set forth in LCC § 17.30.500 to demonstrate compliance with the required setback.
(Ord. 1151 § 4.5(D), 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179M § 1, 2007; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)
An "opt-in" provision is provided for the voluntary designation of properties as forest land of local importance by the property owner(s) upon the timely written notification to the administrator of their desire for such designation. Such application for designation shall be processed as a Type V amendment to the comprehensive plan and development regulations. Such amendments are processed on a yearly basis, consistent with Chapter 17.12 LCC.
(1) 
Criteria for Approval of Applications for Voluntary Designation of Forest Lands of Local Importance. Lewis County shall approve applications for designation as forest land of local importance if the following criteria are met:
(a) 
The property meets the classification criteria set forth for forest lands of local importance in LCC § 17.30.430(2); and
(b) 
The property owner, as part of the application, provides a notarized statement that he or she will voluntarily commit the subject property to the designation for a period of 10 years from the date of any approval of the application.
(2) 
Process for Approval of Applications for Designation as Forest Land of Local Importance.
(a) 
Designation of forest land of local importance shall be considered as a Type V application.
(b) 
The board of county commissioners shall make a final decision following the receipt of the recommendation of the planning commission. The board shall hold a public hearing on the matter and make written findings for its decision. Such findings shall be available to the public upon request.
(Ord. 1151 § 3.8, 1996; Ord. 1157, 1998; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179C § 1, 2003; Ord. 1197 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1269 § 14, 2016)