EVERETT — When housing developments go in, neighbors often gripe about builders clear-cutting trees before breaking ground.

That was a big factor in shaping the urban design rules the Snohomish County Council approved last week. Among other changes, residential builders now will have to leave trees alone or plant replacement trees for any they cut down.

The updated standards, which apply to unincorporated areas, also set guidelines for recreation areas, landscaping and the appearance of the houses.

“One of the things I hear the most often from neighbors is that lots are clear-cut and no new trees go in,” Councilman Dave Gossett said. “You won’t be clear-cutting anymore. That doesn’t mean that trees won’t come down.”

People probably won’t see much of a difference for years to come.

For now, builders will be working on homes already permitted under the old rules. Plus, the dismal state of the housing market promises to slow construction drastically.

Some developers already are doing these things, County Planning Director Craig Ladiser said.

“It’ll be two or three years before the mandatory effects of these will be seen,” Ladiser said. “However, it is clear that some of the builders have already started implementing some of the standards on a voluntary basis.”

Mike Pattison, government affairs manager with the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, agreed that many builders will welcome the rules. But they aren’t sure how many more restrictions they can take. Regulations add to the price of homes and cut down on the number of buildable lots.

“We’re getting to the point where we’re maxed out,” Pattison said. “This is the last additional cost measure the industry can tolerate.”

Leaving more trees is likely to be popular with people living next to new developments. But that likely will be the most expensive change, Pattison said.

Just how much is hard to say. It could be as much as $5,000 per home when rules to save trees, preserve open space and vary the building designs are added up, Pattison said.

“We won’t really know the answer until we start building again,” he said.

The County Council approved the new regulations by a 4-1 vote Wednesday. Councilman John Koster was the only member to vote against them. He did not return calls Friday.

The urban design standards have been more than two years in the making, the product of more than 20 public meetings, Ladiser said.

These rules are a piece of a larger development puzzle. Snohomish County adopted a comprehensive plan three years ago to serve as a blueprint for growth. Now the county is revamping all of its codes, such as the urban residential standards, to fall in line with that 20-year blueprint.

The County Council is expected to discuss another important piece of the puzzle Wednesday. It’s scheduled to consider rules for urban-style subdivisions in rural areas.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465 or nhaglund@heraldnet.com.