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Bowen Island tree removal rules and permits

Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?

Bowen Island, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Bowen Island has no municipal tree removal bylaw or permit. But in a development permit area, such as the Watershed, Aquifer and Stream Protection area, cutting trees likely needs a development permit. Check BowMap or ask Planning first.

Key facts

When a permit is neededNo municipal tree removal bylaw or permit. But in a development permit area (such as the Watershed, Aquifer and Stream Protection area) cutting trees and vegetation likely needs a development permit, and a site alteration permit may also be required in some cases.Building and Planning Frequently Asked Questions, Bowen Island Municipality, Planning FAQ; Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025), s. 7.2, Watershed, Aquifer and Stream Protection DPA · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Bowen Island does not have a tree removal bylaw or permit process.
if you are located in a Development Permit (DP) Area, you likely require a DP to remove trees and vegetation.
In some circumstances, a site alteration permit may also be required.
the limbing, pruning, cutting, falling
or removal of one or more trees within a streamside protection and enhancement area, the
ExemptionsIn the Watershed, Aquifer and Stream Protection development permit area, no permit is needed for: clearing trees and vegetation within a water resource protection area for fire protection within 30 m of a dwelling, for a residential vegetable garden or orchard, or for farming on agriculturally designated land, provided water resources are not adversely affected; and emergency actions including removing hazardous trees. In the Tourist Commercial DP area, a dead, diseased, hazardous or under-15 cm tree is exempt.Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025), s. 7.2 Exemptions 3 and 8; Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025), s. 7.5 Exemption 4; Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022, s. 6.1(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
3) Clearing of trees and other vegetation within a water resource protection area, for fire
protection within 30 metres from a dwelling, creating or expanding a residential vegetable
the removal of any hazardous trees; fire suppression; flood
including, without limitation: the removal of any hazardous trees; fire suppression; flood
Removal of a tree that is dead, diseased or hazardous to persons or property or that is
less than 15 cm in trunk diameter measured 1.5 metres above grade.
removal of any hazardous trees; fire suppression; flood protection; erosion protection; land slip
FeeNo tree-specific fee. A development permit costs $350. A site alteration permit (if needed) costs $50 for under 50 m³ of soil, with a $250 fee for 50 to 200 m³.Development Application Fees Bylaw No. 484, 2019, Table 2; Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
TABLE 2 - Permits Column 1 Column 2 1. Development Permit $350 2. Development Permit Amendment $250 3. Development Variance Permit $900
Site Alteration Permit $50
Not Applicable
Replacement treesNot set as a general rule. A development permit in the stream protection area may require that vegetation or trees be planted or retained to protect fish habitat, control drainage or erosion, or protect banks.Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025), s. 7.2, A.7(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
protection measures be implemented, including that vegetation or trees be planted or
retained in order to preserve, protect, restore or enhance fish habitat or riparian
City treesOn a public place, no one may destroy, alter, damage or remove any tree, shrub or plant without authority (the Use of Public Places Bylaw). Municipal employees, contractors or agents may do so in carrying out their duties.Use of Public Places Bylaw No. 537, 2021, s. 3.1(a); Use of Public Places Bylaw No. 537, 2021, s. 3.3(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
destroy, alter, damage, or remove any tree, shrub, plant, turf, flower, soil, gravel, or other
an employee, contractor or agent of the Municipality from carrying out their duties of an
FineNo fine specific to cutting a private tree. Bylaw notices: causing site alteration without a permit, $200 first offence ($175 early, $225 late), $400 second, $475 further. Removing a tree in a public place: $500 ($400 early, $500 late).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Schedule AN (Site Alteration); Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Schedule AL, s. 3.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Causing Site Alteration – first
$200.00 $175.00 $225.00
$400.00 $375.00 $425.00
$475.00 $450.00 $500.00
Destroy, alter, damage, or
remove any tree, shrub,
BylawSite Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022; Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (Part 7, development permit areas); Use of Public Places Bylaw No. 537, 2021.Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022, Title; Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025), Part 7; Use of Public Places Bylaw No. 537, 2021, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A Bylaw to regulate Site Alterations within the Bowen Island Municipality
WATERSHED, AQUIFER AND STREAM PROTECTION DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREA
Use of Public Places

How it works

Bowen Island Municipality has no tree removal bylaw or permit for private land, according to its Planning FAQ. But cutting trees and vegetation in a development permit area, such as the Watershed, Aquifer and Stream Protection area, likely needs a development permit under the Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (Part 7). Use BowMap, the Municipality's online map, to see if your property is in one.

A site alteration permit may also be needed in some cases. The Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022 covers clearing and grubbing that alters grade, moving 10 m³ or more of soil in a year (20 m³ on land with average slope under 20%), or 50 m² or more of exposed soil. It defines a tree as a woody plant 10 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above ground.

Steps

  1. Check BowMap to see whether your property is in a development permit area.
  2. Ask Planning (604-947-4255 ext. 6, planning@bimbc.ca) whether your tree work needs a development permit or site alteration permit.
  3. If it does, apply before cutting. Fees are in the Cost line above.

Good to know

  • Exemptions: in the Watershed, Aquifer and Stream Protection area, no permit is needed to clear trees and vegetation within a water resource protection area for fire protection within 30 m of a dwelling, for a residential vegetable garden or orchard, or for farming on agriculturally designated land, as long as water resources are not adversely affected. Emergency actions, including removing hazardous trees, are also exempt. In the Tourist Commercial area, a dead, diseased, hazardous or under-15 cm tree is exempt. The Site Alteration Bylaw exempts a garden or orchard up to 500 m² and work under a building permit.
  • Replacement: no general rule. A development permit in the stream protection area may require that trees or vegetation be planted or kept.
  • Public trees: under the Use of Public Places Bylaw No. 537, 2021, no one may destroy, alter, damage or remove a tree, shrub or plant on a public place without authority.
  • Fines: none is specific to cutting a private tree. A bylaw notice for site alteration without a permit is $200 for a first offence ($175 early, $225 late), $400 for a second and $475 for further offences. Removing a tree in a public place is $500 ($400 early, $500 late). The Land Use Bylaw sets a penalty of up to $2,000 on summary conviction for development without a required development permit.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

West Vancouver · Gibsons · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Vancouver

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building and Planning Frequently Asked Questions, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Use of Public Places Bylaw No. 537, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Development Application Fees Bylaw No. 484, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  6. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026) (read 2026-11-08)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.