Overgrown back lot, Scotch broom taking over a pasture, or storm limbs and brush blocking the driveway? We clear land and clean up storm debris in Spanaway, in unincorporated 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 Spanaway
Spanaway is a large unincorporated community along Pacific Avenue South (SR 7) and around Spanaway Lake. Yard trees over houses and brushy back lots are common. Main roads: Pacific Avenue South (SR 7), Mountain Highway, and the Roy Y where SR 507 meets SR 7.
The ground is the USDA Spanaway soil series: very deep, somewhat excessively drained gravelly sandy loam on flat outwash terraces, with Douglas-fir, Oregon white oak, shore pine and red alder and Scotch broom on open ground. Footing is good for equipment; access gets tighter in older neighborhoods off Pacific Avenue.
Land clearing in Spanaway
Spanaway is unincorporated, so Pierce County Planning & Public Works issues clearing and grading permits: 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). Oregon white oaks are protected priority habitat.
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
Winter windstorms are the main risk for tall firs near houses, and snow and ice can bring down oak and fir limbs over roofs, driveways and power lines.
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.
Sewer or septic in Spanaway
Parts of Spanaway are inside the Pierce County Sewer service area, and some lots are still on septic. Check the county service-area map or call Pierce County Sewer at (253) 798-4050. On septic lots we keep machines off the tank, drainfield and reserve area.
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 permit to clear a lot in Spanaway?
Often. Pierce County requires a site development permit for clearing more than 7,000 sq ft or grading more than 50 cubic yards, and for nearly any work in a critical area.
Can you clear storm debris and then finish the lot?
Yes. We remove downed trees and brush first, then mulch or haul the remaining growth and deal with stumps.
Can you clear around oak trees?
Yes. Pierce County protects Oregon white oak as priority habitat, so we mark oaks at the site visit and plan clearing around them.
Can I burn the brush?
Not land-clearing debris. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency prohibits land-clearing fires across Pierce County, so we mulch or haul.
Areas around Spanaway
We cover neighborhoods around Spanaway Lake Park and Sprinker Recreation Center, along Pacific Avenue and Mountain Highway, and out toward Elk Plain, Frederickson and the Roy Y.
Nearby: Roy, Graham, 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 Spanaway (our tree site)
Baxter’s Excavation & Tree Removal LLC · Land clearing and storm cleanup in Spanaway, Pierce County, WA · Licensed, Bonded & Insured · WA reg #BAXTEET811JA · Call or text 360-899-8468Text us
