Barriere tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Barriere?
Short answer
Barriere has no tree bylaw or general tree-cutting permit for private property. Near rivers and streams the Official Community Plan's riparian rules may apply, so ask the District Office before clearing near water. Trees on public land may not be cut without authorization.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | No tree bylaw or general tree-cutting permit. Near rivers and streams, the OCP's riparian rules (Appendix A) count removing vegetation as 'development' needing a qualified environmental professional's assessment report. Ask the District Office before clearing near water.Official Community Plan, Appendix A riparian areas, Appendix A, 2.0 and Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording(a) removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation; An Assessment Report is required for the District of Barriere before development is approved to proceed. |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | No general tree rules to exempt. Under the OCP riparian rules, removing a tree in imminent danger is exempt (emergencies must be reported to Public Works), as is hand removal of invasive species identified by a QEP.Official Community Plan, Appendix A riparian areas, Appendix A, 3.0 Exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording(d) Removal of trees when there is an imminent danger of the tree. All actions used to resolve emergency Removal of individual invasive species identified by a QEP, by hand or in a manner that does not unduly |
| Fee | None set. No tree permit fee is listed in the District's Fees and Charges Bylaw. |
| Replacement trees | No general replacement rule. In riparian areas, the OCP requires a re-vegetation plan by a QEP and landscape architect if the land was cleared of native vegetation or is cleared during development, using native species.Official Community Plan, Appendix A riparian areas, Appendix A, 2.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA QEP, in conjunction with a landscape architect, is required to provide a re-vegetation plan if the proposed area to be developed was previously cleared of native vegetation, or is cleared during the process of |
| City trees | Without authorization from Council or the Public Works Manager, no one may cut, prune, top or remove trees, hedges or shrubs on a boulevard, road allowance, park or other public place (Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226, s. 5.1(j)). Landscaping on the boulevard other than grass seed or sod needs District permission.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw schedule, Schedule A, Road Right-of-Way Usage No. 0022, s. 1004; https://www.barriere.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=6dca72aa-2e39-4b4d-a714-580c4db4c21a, New Construction Guide At-a-Glance; Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226, s. 5.1(j) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCause damage to grass/shrub/tree/asphalt/concrete/curb in boulevard Road Right-of-Way Usage No. 0022 landscaping (other than grass seed or sod), decorative structures Except as specifically authorized, directed or permitted by Council, the Public Works alter or remove any fence or guardrail, or cut, prune, top or remove any trees, hedges, shrubs or other plantings from a boulevard, road allowance, park or other |
| Fine | No tree-cutting ticket amount found. Cutting trees on public land without authorization breaks Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226; on conviction the fine is up to $2,000.Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226, s. 16.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingcommits an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to paying a fine of up to Two |
| Bylaw | No tree protection bylaw. Trees on public land: Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226, s. 5.1(j).Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226, title and s. 5.1(j) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingTRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY BYLAW NO. 226 alter or remove any fence or guardrail, or cut, prune, top or remove any trees, |
How it works
The District of Barriere has no tree protection bylaw and no general permit for cutting trees on private property. We checked the bylaw library, the zoning and building bylaws, the Nuisance Bylaw and the Official Community Plan (OCP). No tree permit fee is listed in the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Near rivers and streams the OCP's riparian rules (Appendix A) count removing vegetation as development, which needs a qualified environmental professional's assessment report. Existing trees and native vegetation in the riparian area are to be kept as much as possible. Ask the District Office before clearing near water.
Steps
- Check whether your lot is near a river or stream.
- If it is, call the District Office before cutting anything.
- For a tree on a boulevard, road allowance or park, ask the District for authorization first.
Good to know
- Without authorization from Council or the Public Works Manager, no one may cut, prune, top or remove trees, hedges or shrubs on a boulevard, road allowance, park or other public place (Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226, s. 5.1(j)). On conviction the fine is up to $2,000. No tree-cutting ticket amount was found.
- Under the OCP riparian rules, removing a tree in imminent danger is exempt (report emergencies to Public Works), as is hand removal of invasive species identified by a qualified environmental professional.
- There is no general replacement-planting rule. In riparian areas, land cleared of native vegetation needs a re-vegetation plan using native species.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Clearwater · Kamloops · Enderby · 100 Mile House · Ashcroft · Armstrong
Sources
- Official Community Plan, Appendix A riparian areas (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Traffic and Road Safety Bylaw No. 226 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw schedule, District of Barriere (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- https://www.barriere.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=6dca72aa-2e39-4b4d-a714-580c4db4c21a (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.