Frequently Asked Questions

• If you are planning to sell the timber, there are two options for harvesting trees that depend on your future goals for the property. If you will replant trees after harvest and continue to manage the land as forest for at least 6 years, you can obtain a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.

If you intend to develop some or all of the property with another use after harvest, you can obtain a permit from Cowlitz County. Contact a Planner to discuss the permit process.

• When DNR issues a harvest permit, the property is subject to a six-year development moratorium. There are two options to remove this moratorium depending on your needs. Talk with a Planner about these options.
  • One-Acre Waiver of Moratorium
    • If you want to keep most of the land in timber production, but remove one acre or less for development of a single family residence, a one-acre waiver process is available. All conditions of the DNR permit must be met prior to the County approving the Waiver.
  • Moratorium Lift
    • If you want to remove the entire property from timber production, or more than the one-acre waiver would allow, a process to “lift” the moratorium is available through the County.

• DFL stands for Designated Forest Land. This is a tax classification used by the County Assessor’s Office. More information can be found on the Assessor’s website.

Removing land from DFL status is not a permit to harvest trees. Talk with a Planner about timber harvest options to best achieve your goals.