{"title":"Armstrong tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Armstrong","url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca"},"short_answer":"The City of Armstrong has no bylaw regulating the cutting of private trees. A development permit is needed to remove vegetation, including trees, on land in an Official Community Plan Environmental or Hazard development permit area. City boulevard and park trees cannot be cut without permission. Confirm with Planning.","aliases":["tree cutting permit armstrong","tree bylaw armstrong bc","remove boulevard tree armstrong"],"cost":"No tree-cutting permit fee found. Where a development permit is needed, the fee is $700, or $550 for a Minor Development Permit.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"email","label":"Manager of Planning Services","value":"planner@cityofarmstrong.bc.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"City Hall","value":"250-546-3023"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw 1932, 2024, Part 9 Development Permit Areas (PDF)","url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472"},{"title":"Good Neighbour Bylaw 1829, 2018 (PDF)","url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Armstrong zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/tree-removal/"}],"topic":{"title":"Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal/"},"facts":{"permit_needed":{"label":"When a permit is needed","value":"No City bylaw regulates cutting private trees. A development permit is needed to remove or destroy vegetation, including trees, on land in an OCP development permit area: the Environmental area (mapped sensitive, wetland and riparian areas) or the Hazard area (slopes over 30%, floodplain). Check the DPA map or ask Planning.","short":"No, except development permit areas","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9, Applicable Activities","quotes":["A development permit is required for any development occurring on land","The removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation.","The Environmental Development Permit Area applies to sensitive terrestrial areas, wetlands,","Contain slopes in excess of 30% for a minimum horizontal distance of 10 meters or within"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9.6 Environmental DPA, Exemptions","quotes":["Proposed developments located outside of a riparian assessment area, defined as","the 30-metre strip on both sides of the stream measured"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"Hazard DPA (steep slopes, s. 9.7): trees a qualified arborist deems hazardous and an immediate threat to life or buildings. Environmental DPA (s. 9.6): emergency removal of dangerous trees on a qualified professional's advice, reported within 72 hours; normal farm practices in the ALR outside riparian or sensitive areas. Planting native trees is exempt.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9.3 Hazard DPA, Exemptions","quotes":["Removal of trees deemed to be hazardous by a qualified arborist that threaten the","immediate safety of life and buildings.","Activities limited to those indicated as “normal farm practices” as defined in the Farm","Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9.6 Environmental DPA, Exemptions","quotes":["the emergency removal of dangerous or hazardous trees or limbs as recommended","by a qualified environmental professional by standard arboricultural practices.","All actions must be","reported to the City of Armstrong and the appropriate Federal or Provincial authorities","within 72 hours."]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9, General Exemptions","quotes":["The development consists of the planting or replanting of native trees, shrubs or ground"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"No tree-cutting permit fee found. Where a development permit is needed, the fee is $700 (Development Permit or Amendment); a Minor Development Permit is $550.","short":"No tree permit fee; $700 if development permit needed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/172744","title":"Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1916, 2023 (PDF, consolidated), City of Armstrong","section":"Schedule 5, items 16 and 19","quotes":["Development Permit or Amendment $ 700.00","Minor Development or Minor Variance Permit $ 550.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"No general replacement rule. In the Hazard (steep slope) permit area, trees and vegetation removed for site grading or other works should be replanted afterwards. In the Environmental permit area the City may require up to 90% survival of trees and shrubs planted, for up to two years.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9.3 Hazard DPA, Guidelines","quotes":["any tree and","vegetation removal required for site grading or other works should be replanted after the works are completed."]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9.6 Environmental DPA, Guidelines","quotes":["The City may require up to 90% survival of all trees and shrubs planted for a period of up to","two years."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Nobody may cut down or remove trees planted or maintained by the City on a highway (including boulevards) without a permit, or deface, remove or damage any tree in a park or on public lands. The City may trim or remove boulevard trees for safety, infrastructure, aesthetics or insects.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181295","title":"Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw No. 1370 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw No. 1370, s. 10.1(b)","quotes":["Cause damage to, cut down or remove trees, grass, shrubs,","plants, bushes and hedges, fences, signs or other things erected, planted or maintained","by the City on the highway."]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/123654","title":"Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 1473 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 1473","quotes":["No person shall deface, remove or otherwise damage any tree, shrub or other plant material","growing in any park or public lands in the City."]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485","title":"Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, s. 4.5","quotes":["The City is empowered to trim or remove trees, shrubs, hedges or other plantings on a","boulevard if the City considers it necessary for purposes of public safety"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"No ticket found for cutting a private tree. Municipal tickets: damaging or removing a tree, shrub or plant in a park, $100; damaging boulevard plants or improvements (Traffic bylaw s. 10.1(b)), $200.","short":"No ticket for private tree; $100 for park tree","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Schedule 7 (Parks Regulation Bylaw)","quotes":["Damage or deface or remove tree, shrub or plant 3 $ 100.00 $ 100.00"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Schedule 10 (Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw)","quotes":["Caused damage to boulevard plants/improvements 10.1 (b) $200.00 $200.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"No tree protection bylaw found. Private-land tree removal is controlled through the development permit areas in OCP Bylaw No. 1932, 2024, Part 9. Under Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829 s. 4.7 an officer may order an owner to trim or remove trees that damage public property or block sightlines.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Part 9","quotes":["This OCP establishes six Development Permit Areas (DPAs) to help manage the form and"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485","title":"Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 4.7","quotes":["may issue an order for an owner, occupier or tenant of real","property to remove or trim any tree, shrub, hedge or other planting on the real property if it is:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Armstrong has no tree protection bylaw. Private-land tree removal is controlled through the development permit areas in [Official Community Plan Bylaw 1932, 2024](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472), Part 9. A development permit is needed to remove or destroy vegetation, including trees, on land in the Environmental area (mapped sensitive, wetland and riparian areas) or the Hazard area (slopes over 30% and floodplain). Which properties are inside is shown on the OCP development permit area maps, which were not read for this answer.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask Planning (planner@cityofarmstrong.bc.ca or 250-546-3023) whether your property is in a development permit area.\n2. If it is, ask whether your removal needs a development permit, unless an exemption below applies.\n3. For a tree on the boulevard or in a park, ask City Hall first.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Exemptions: in the Hazard area, trees a qualified arborist deems hazardous and an immediate threat to life or buildings. In the Environmental area, emergency removal of dangerous trees on a qualified professional's advice, reported within 72 hours, and normal farm practices in the Agricultural Land Reserve outside riparian or sensitive areas. Planting native trees is exempt.\n- There is no fixed replacement rule. In the Hazard area, vegetation removed for grading or other works should be replanted. In the Environmental area the City may require up to 90% survival of planted trees and shrubs for up to two years.\n- Nobody may cut or remove trees planted or maintained by the City on a highway, including boulevards, without a permit, or damage any tree in a park or on public land. The City may trim or remove boulevard trees for safety, infrastructure, aesthetics or insects.\n- Under Good Neighbour Bylaw 1829, s. 4.7, an officer may order an owner to trim or remove trees that damage public property or block sightlines.\n- Municipal tickets: damaging or removing a tree, shrub or plant in a park is $100; damaging boulevard plants or improvements is $200. No ticket was found for cutting a private tree.","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/189472","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1932, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485","title":"Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018 (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181295","title":"Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw No. 1370 (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/123654","title":"Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 1473 (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/172744","title":"Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1916, 2023 (PDF, consolidated), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/bylaw-enforcement/","title":"Bylaw Enforcement, City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/tree-removal.json"}}