King County to appeal property rights ruling

King County is appealing the court decision that struck down part of its land-clearing law.

County Executive Ron Sims says if the state Supreme Court allows the ruling to stand it will hurt the ability of local governments across Washington to regulate land use.

The ordinance prevented some rural land owners from using as much as two-thirds of their property. Sims says the limits are needed to help protect groundwater and prevent floods.

Property rights advocates cheered Monday's state Appeals Court ruling that overturned part of the Critical Areas Ordinance as an illegal, indirect tax on development.

The county passed the ordinance in 2004. It was challenged by the Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights.