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Commission votes to recognize historic livestock trails as established roadways
Summary
The commission recommended an ordinance to amend the land-use code to recognize county roads historically used as livestock trails, aiming to protect ranching movements and clarify liability and maintenance expectations.
The King County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend ordinance 2026-08, which amends the county land-use code to recognize historic livestock trails as established county roadways where those roads have long been used by livestock producers.
Taylor, the county government affairs director, told the commission the change responds to instances where development or federal land-use plans have put traditional livestock-movement routes into question. The approach will first formally designate county roads already used by ranchers as livestock trails and later map and process other historic trails that do not follow county rights-of-way.
Taylor and commissioners discussed that class D roads are generally not actively maintained and that the designation does not compel the county to begin maintenance where none existed; rather, the change is intended to preserve existing uses and make enforcement or defense clearer in property disputes. Commissioners also discussed liability concerns if livestock are moved on major roads; Taylor said codifying the use sets clearer expectations for drivers and insurers.
A motion to revise the King County Land Use Ordinance (title 9, chapter 27) to recognize historic trails as established roadways was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the ordinance recommendation and follow the county commission process for final adoption.
