Overgrown backyard, blackberry along the property line, or a storm-downed tree in a tight yard? We clear small lots and clean up storm debris in Tacoma.
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 Tacoma
Tacoma is the Pierce County seat, a port city on Commencement Bay. Lots are mostly small and built-out, so clearing and storm cleanup happen close to houses, garages and lines. Main routes in: I-5 and SR 16, which meet at Nalley Valley.
Expect mature Douglas-fir and western red cedar in older yards, plus bigleaf maple, red alder and planted street trees along parking strips. Small lots, alleys and steep streets near the bay mean tight access, so we plan machine size and protect sidewalks and driveways.
Land clearing in Tacoma
Clearing in Tacoma usually means overgrown backyards, blackberry along a property line, or opening space for an addition. Trees in the city right-of-way, including parking-strip street trees, need a City of Tacoma permit.
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
Storms off the Sound drop limbs and whole trees into small yards, alleys and driveways. Tacoma Power handles anything tangled in its lines before cleanup starts.
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
What does land clearing look like on a Tacoma lot?
Mostly small-lot work rather than large acreage: brush and blackberry cleared back, storm limbs hauled, stumps pulled or ground, and room made for an addition or shop. Right-of-way trees need a city permit.
Can you clean up a storm-downed tree in a tight yard?
Yes. We plan for tight access, protect sidewalks and driveways, and haul the debris.
Do you grade after small-lot clearing?
When it is in the quote. We can leave the spot ready for gravel, seed or the next construction step.
Can I burn the brush?
No. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency prohibits land-clearing fires across Pierce County, so we mulch or haul.
Areas around Tacoma
We cover Tacoma’s neighborhood council districts: Central, North End, West End, New Tacoma, South Tacoma, South End, Eastside and Northeast Tacoma.
Nearby: Puyallup, Spanaway. 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 Tacoma (our tree site)
Baxter’s Excavation & Tree Removal LLC · Land clearing and storm cleanup in Tacoma, Pierce County, WA · Licensed, Bonded & Insured · WA reg #BAXTEET811JA · Call or text 360-899-8468Text us
