{"title":"Campbell River tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","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 Campbell River","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca"},"short_answer":"Campbell River has no general permit for cutting ordinary trees on private land. But clearing vegetation counts as \"development\", so you need a Development Permit within a watercourse buffer zone or 30 m of a watercourse, and within 60 m of a Bald Eagle nest tree. Trees on City land are protected.","aliases":["tree removal campbell river","cut down tree campbell river","eagle nest tree campbell river","tree bylaw campbell river"],"cost":"No fee for cutting a tree itself. Where an environmental Development Permit is needed it is a Minor Development Permit, with a $2,000 base fee and a $450 pre-application meeting fee unless exempt.","how_long":"The City's pages do not state a review time.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@campbellriver.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Environmental Protection Bylaw 3551, 2014 (PDF)","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022"},{"title":"Development Resources","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/development-applications/development-resources"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Campbell River building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sayward","name":"Sayward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/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 general permit to cut ordinary trees on private land was found. But clearing vegetation counts as 'Development': a Development Permit is needed within a watercourse buffer zone or 30 m of a watercourse, and within 60 m of a Bald Eagle nest tree. Cutting an eagle nest tree needs any Provincial permit first and written notice to the City.","short":"No, except near watercourses and eagle nests","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022","title":"Environmental Protection Bylaw 3551, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to 3852, 2022)","section":"s. 4.1, 4.5","quotes":["No person shall cut down or remove a Bald Eagle Nest Tree or cause any such tree to be cut","any permit that may be required from the Province has been obtained;","No Person shall Develop within sixty (60) metres of a Bald Eagle Nest Tree without a","Development Permit.","a. removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation;","No person shall Develop within a Watercourse Buffer Zone without a Development","High Water Mark of a Watercourse without a Development Permit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"A Hazard Tree (identified in writing by a Qualified Environmental Professional) may be cut without a Development Permit if a certified letter naming the tree and hazard is given to the City first. Agricultural uses on ALR land or under the Farm Practice Protection Act do not need a Development Permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022","title":"Environmental Protection Bylaw 3551, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to 3852, 2022)","section":"s. 6.2 and definition","quotes":["Cutting down, removal, pruning, topping or other modification of a Hazard Tree, situated in","the Owner of real property from which the Hazard Tree is to be cut down, removed or","modified shall provide to the City a certified letter prepared by a Qualified","6.7   Agricultural uses on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve or under the Farm Practice","Hazard Tree, situated in"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"No fee for cutting a tree itself. Where an Environmental Development Permit is needed, it is a Minor Development Permit: $2,000 base fee. A $450 pre-application meeting fee applies unless exempt (eagle and heron nests and ditch setbacks are exempt).","short":"No tree fee; $2,000 if development permit needed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3856-development-applications-procedures-bylaw","title":"Development Applications Procedures Bylaw No. 3856 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.3(a)(iii); Schedule A fees","quotes":["Environmental development permit applications; and","$2,000 base fee"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Bald Eagle nest tree cut for a reason other than being a Hazard Tree: a habitat compensation plan by a Qualified Environmental Professional before cutting, showing no net loss of habitat. Where a Development Permit is needed, security of 125% of the estimated cost of meeting its requirements is also required.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022","title":"Environmental Protection Bylaw 3551, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to 3852, 2022)","section":"s. 4.2","quotes":["If the Bald Eagle Nest Tree is to be cut down or removed for a reason other than being a","Hazard Tree","how no net loss of Bald Eagle Nest Tree Habitat","iii) provide security to the City an amount equal to 125% of the cost estimated by a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Cutting or removing trees growing on a highway needs a permit from the Engineering Services Manager (not for arterial highways). No one may willfully injure a boulevard tree or shrub. In a City park, no one may cut, remove or damage any tree (Parks Control Bylaw No. 2498, 1996, s. 3).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3043-traffic-highways-regulation-bylaw-consolidated-3608-2016","title":"Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 3043, 2003 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3852, 2022)","section":"s. 30, 31(1)","quotes":["This Part does not apply to arterial highways.","Except as authorized by a permit issued by the Engineering Services Manager pursuant to Part VIII","cut down","or remove trees or timber growing on a highway"]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3543-public-nuisance-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3589-2015","title":"Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3964, 2024)","section":"s. 7.6(a)","quotes":["willfully injure or damage any Boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on"]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/2498-parks-control-bylaw-1996-consolidated-bylaw-3672-2017","title":"Parks Control Bylaw No. 2498, 1996 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3672, 2017)","section":"s. 3(a)(i)","quotes":["destroy, cut, mark, break, dig, pull-up, burn or in any other way damage, injure,","any tree, flower bed, bush, shrub, plant, sod, grass or other vegetation, soil,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"$125 for cutting or removing trees on a highway without a permit. $200 for damaging a boulevard tree or shrub. $1,000 for removing a Bald Eagle nest tree without Provincial approval; $500 if the City is not notified first. $500 for developing within 30 m of a watercourse, or within 60 m of an eagle nest tree, without a Development Permit.","short":"$125 for highway trees; $200 boulevard tree","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3322-ticketing-bylaw-offences-consolidated-bylaw-4003-2025pdf","title":"Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025)","section":"Schedules 29, 18, 11","quotes":["No permit for tree/timber removal 31(1) 125.00","Damage boulevard/tree/shrub 7.6(a) 200","Removal or other works on a Bald Eagle Nest Tree without 4.1(a) 1000.00","Removal of a Bald Eagle nest tree without notification to 4.1(b) 500.00","Developing within 30 metres of a Watercourse without a","Developing within 60 metres of a Bald Eagle Nest Tree"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 3551, 2014; Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 3043, 2003","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022","title":"Environmental Protection Bylaw 3551, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to 3852, 2022)","section":"title","quotes":["Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 3551, 2014"]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3043-traffic-highways-regulation-bylaw-consolidated-3608-2016","title":"Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 3043, 2003 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3852, 2022)","section":"title","quotes":["Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 3043, 2003"]}],"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 Campbell River has no general permit to cut ordinary trees on private land. However, the [Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 3551, 2014](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022) treats clearing vegetation as \"development\". A Development Permit is needed within a watercourse buffer zone or 30 m of a watercourse, and within 60 m of a Bald Eagle nest tree. Cutting an eagle nest tree needs any Provincial permit first, and written notice to the City.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Before cutting near a stream, ditch or large old tree, email planning@campbellriver.ca.\n2. If a watercourse or eagle nest tree is involved, apply for the Development Permit the City tells you to.\n3. For a Bald Eagle nest tree cut for a reason other than being a hazard, have a Qualified Environmental Professional prepare a habitat compensation plan before cutting, showing no net loss of habitat.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A Hazard Tree, identified in writing by a Qualified Environmental Professional, may be cut without a Development Permit if you first give the City a certified letter naming the tree and the hazard. Agricultural uses on ALR land or under the Farm Practice Protection Act do not need a Development Permit.\n- Where a Development Permit is needed, security of 125% of the estimated cost of meeting its requirements is also required.\n- A $450 pre-application meeting fee does not apply to eagle and heron nests or ditch setbacks.\n- Trees on City land: cutting or removing trees on a highway needs a permit from the Engineering Services Manager (not for arterial highways), and no one may willfully injure a boulevard tree or shrub. In a City park, no one may cut, remove or damage any tree.\n- Fines (Ticketing Bylaw): $125 for cutting trees on a highway without a permit; $200 for damaging a boulevard tree or shrub; $1,000 for removing a Bald Eagle nest tree without Provincial approval, or $500 if the City is not notified first; $500 for developing within 30 m of a watercourse or within 60 m of an eagle nest tree without a Development Permit.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3551-environmental-protection-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3852-2022","title":"Environmental Protection Bylaw 3551, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to 3852, 2022)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3856-development-applications-procedures-bylaw","title":"Development Applications Procedures Bylaw No. 3856 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3043-traffic-highways-regulation-bylaw-consolidated-3608-2016","title":"Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 3043, 2003 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3852, 2022)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3543-public-nuisance-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3589-2015","title":"Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3964, 2024)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/2498-parks-control-bylaw-1996-consolidated-bylaw-3672-2017","title":"Parks Control Bylaw No. 2498, 1996 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3672, 2017)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3322-ticketing-bylaw-offences-consolidated-bylaw-4003-2025pdf","title":"Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025)","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/campbell-river/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/tree-removal.json"}}