Overgrown lot on South Hill, a valley yard full of storm limbs, or ground to open up for a shop or addition? We clear land and clean up storm debris in Puyallup and the unincorporated areas around it in Pierce County.
Land clearing jobs from $1,500. Call or text 360-899-8468Text us for a free estimate. Photos help.
Planning a bigger project or not sure where to start? Book a land & site consultation.
Working in and around Puyallup
Puyallup is a city on the Puyallup River about 10 miles southeast of Tacoma, running from the valley floor up onto South Hill. Valley yards and hillside lots make for very different clearing and cleanup jobs. Main roads: Meridian (SR 161) and SR 512.
Black cottonwood, red alder and bigleaf maple grow along the river and creeks; Douglas-fir and western red cedar on South Hill. The valley floor is flat river ground that can stay soft through winter, while South Hill has slopes and tight backyards.
Land clearing in Puyallup
Inside Puyallup city limits, the City of Puyallup’s permit center handles clearing and grading questions, and trees in critical areas need a city permit. On unincorporated South Hill, Pierce County thresholds apply: a site development permit is needed for clearing more than 7,000 sq ft or grading more than 50 cubic yards (far less in a critical area).
On the job we typically:
- Forestry-mulch brush, Scotch broom, blackberries and small trees, working around the trees you want kept
- Pull stumps and roots with the excavator, or grind when you want less soil disturbance
- Haul material when you want a clean finish for seed, gravel or a building pad
- Grade after clearing so the driveway or pad is ready for the next step
See land clearing for the full service, or book a land & site consultation. The equipment we bring to the job is matched to the site.
Mulch or haul?
We clear brush and small trees with a forestry mulcher, which cuts down on hauling. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency prohibits land-clearing fires across Pierce County, so brush and debris are mulched or hauled, not burned.
Storm cleanup of downed trees and debris
Soft valley ground in winter loosens the roots of big trees, and South Hill firs on slopes and at development edges catch the wind. Debris often lands in tight yards or on ground too soft for heavy equipment.
We clear downed trees, limbs and brush off driveways, yards and building sites, then continue into full clearing when that is the plan. For larger tree takedowns, see tree removal. Soft or ponding ground after storms often pairs with drainage work.
How it works
- Call or text 360-899-8468Text us, or send photos and the address.
- Walk the ground. We mark the trees you want kept and look for wet spots, slopes, oaks, septic areas and anything that might trigger a county or city permit. Estimates usually within a couple of days.
- Written quote that spells out the clearing area and what happens to the material.
- Clear. The equipment we bring to the job is matched to the site: forestry mulcher, skid steer with a grapple, excavator for stumps. Before stump pulling or grading we call 811 (RCW 19.122.030); private lines such as a side sewer or a water line to a shop aren’t marked by 811, so we locate those too.
Why Baxter’s
- 20+ years of experience in excavation and land work.
- Licensed, Bonded & Insured, WA contractor registration #BAXTEET811JA.
- We call back quickly, and estimates usually come within a couple of days. Call or text 360-899-8468Text us with the address and a few photos.
- One crew from clearing to grading: clearing, stump work, grading, driveways and drainage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a city permit to clear on my Puyallup lot?
Ask the City of Puyallup permit center for work inside city limits; trees in critical areas need a city permit. On unincorporated South Hill, Pierce County thresholds apply.
Can you handle storm debris on soft valley ground?
Yes. We plan the approach for soft ground, which can mean ground protection or waiting for drier conditions, clear the downed wood, then grade when the site is ready.
Does clearing work with drainage fixes?
Often. After storms, standing water and soft spots show up. See our drainage page when that is part of the job.
Can I burn brush from clearing in Puyallup?
No. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency prohibits land-clearing fires across Pierce County, so we mulch or haul.
How much does land clearing cost?
Land clearing jobs from $1,500. The written quote depends on size, growth, stumps, access and whether material is mulched or hauled.
Areas around Puyallup
We cover downtown and valley neighborhoods near the Puyallup Fairgrounds, up to South Hill and Bradley Lake Park.
Nearby: Graham, Bonney Lake, Tacoma. See all Pierce County service areas.
Get a free quote
Tell us the address and what you need. Photos help. Office hours: Monday–Friday 7 AM–6 PM and Saturday 8 AM–2 PM, closed Sunday.
Related: Land clearing · Drainage · Tree removal · Land & site consultation · All Pierce County service areas · Storm tree removal in Puyallup (our tree site)
Baxter’s Excavation & Tree Removal LLC · Land clearing and storm cleanup in Puyallup, Pierce County, WA · Licensed, Bonded & Insured · WA reg #BAXTEET811JA · Call or text 360-899-8468Text us
