{"title":"Castlegar 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/castlegar","name":"Castlegar","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 Castlegar","url":"https://www.castlegar.ca"},"short_answer":"Castlegar has no general tree-cutting bylaw. But the Community Plan treats removing trees and vegetation as a \"land alteration\", which needs a development permit in the Environmental and Hazard areas (flood, steep slope, riparian and sensitive ecosystem). Check your property's map with Development Services.","aliases":["tree cutting bylaw castlegar","remove tree castlegar","tree permit castlegar","boulevard tree castlegar"],"cost":"No tree-cutting permit fee. Where a development permit is required, the fee is $1,000, or $500 for a delegated development permit (Bylaw 1418).","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-365-8964"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"devserv@castlegar.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Community Plan Bylaw 1427 (PDF)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1427-Official-Community-Plan-Bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Development Approval Procedures and Fees Bylaw 1418 (PDF)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1418-Development-Approval-Procedures-Fees_Consolidated-2.pdf"},{"title":"Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw 1015 (PDF)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bylaw1015-ConsolidatedTrafficandHwyRegs.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Castlegar zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Castlegar building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/fruitvale","name":"Fruitvale","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/trail","name":"Trail","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/rossland","name":"Rossland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/montrose","name":"Montrose","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nelson","name":"Nelson","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/slocan","name":"Slocan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/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 tree-cutting permit was found. In the Community Plan's Environmental and Hazard development permit areas (flood hazard, steep slope, riparian and sensitive ecosystem), land alterations, which include removing trees and vegetation, are not allowed without a development permit; in the Steep Slopes area vegetation removal needs Qualified Professional support. Check the property's DPA maps.","short":"No, except development permit areas","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1427-Official-Community-Plan-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Community Plan Bylaw 1427 (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 7.1","quotes":["In areas designated as an Environmental","& Hazard DPA “Land Alterations” are not","Castlegar has the following Environmental &","grading including the removal of trees, vegetation and grading of"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1427-Official-Community-Plan-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Community Plan Bylaw 1427 (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 7.4.8","quotes":["Removal of vegetation within the","unless reviewed and supported"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"General development permit exemptions include removing danger trees under direction of a qualified arborist, removing invasive species, and removing or replacing flammable vegetation for FireSmart treatment within 30 m of structures.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1427-Official-Community-Plan-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Community Plan Bylaw 1427 (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 7.1, general exemptions","quotes":["Removal of danger trees under direction","Removal of invasive species;","Removal or replacement of flammable"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"On a highway (including the boulevard), no one may cut down or remove trees, or cut or damage City-planted trees, shrubs or hedges, without a permit from the Director of Transportation and Civic Works (Traffic Bylaw 1015 s. 29); ticket $100. In a park, no one may destroy or damage any tree (Bylaw 698 s. 6(a)).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/bylaw-698-Parks-Administration.pdf","title":"Parks Administration Bylaw 698 (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 6(a)","quotes":["Destroy or damage any tree, shrub, plant, turf or flower;"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"Schedule B-9, s. 29.2","quotes":["Damage City sign/fence/tree/grass/shrubs $100"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bylaw1015-ConsolidatedTrafficandHwyRegs.pdf","title":"Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw 1015 (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 29.1, 29.2","quotes":["Dig up, break up or remove any part of a highway, or cut down or remove trees or","Cause damage to, cut down or remove, trees, grass, shrubs, plants, bushes and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"No ticket for cutting trees as such. Where a development permit is required (OCP s. 7.1), failure to obtain one is ticketed at $200 first offence and $400 second offence (Bylaw 1179, Schedule B-18).","short":"No tree ticket; $200 for no development permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"Schedule B-18","quotes":["Failure to obtain a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":null,"status":"none","note":"The City has no general tree-cutting permit or tree protection bylaw.","sources":[]}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":4,"matched":4,"none":1,"unknown":2},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Castlegar has no general tree-cutting permit or tree protection bylaw. However, the [Community Plan (Bylaw 1427)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1427-Official-Community-Plan-Bylaw.pdf) defines \"land alterations\" to include removing trees and vegetation. In areas designated as Environmental and Hazard development permit areas (flood hazard, steep slope, riparian and sensitive ecosystem), land alterations are not allowed without a development permit. In the steep slope area, removing vegetation needs support from a qualified professional.\n\nThese areas are shown on the Community Plan maps. The Plan also says the City will develop a Tree Inventory and Protection Bylaw, so the rules may change.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Call Development Services (250-365-8964) or email devserv@castlegar.ca with your address and ask whether your lot is in a development permit area.\n2. If it is, apply for a development permit before cutting. The fee is $1,000, or $500 for a delegated development permit ([Bylaw 1418](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1418-Development-Approval-Procedures-Fees_Consolidated-2.pdf)).\n3. If the tree is on the boulevard, a highway or a park, do not touch it; contact the City first.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The development permit areas have exemptions, including removing danger trees under the direction of a qualified arborist, removing invasive species, and removing or replacing flammable vegetation for FireSmart treatment within 30 m of structures.\n- On a highway, including the boulevard, no one may cut down or remove trees, or cut or damage City-planted trees, shrubs or hedges, without a permit from the Director of Transportation and Civic Works (Traffic Bylaw 1015, s. 29). The ticket is $100.\n- In a park, no one may destroy or damage any tree (Parks Administration Bylaw 698, s. 6(a)).\n- Failing to get a required development permit can bring a municipal ticket of $200 for a first offence and $400 for a second (Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179).\n- No replacement planting rule for tree removal was found.","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1427-Official-Community-Plan-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Community Plan Bylaw 1427 (PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1418-Development-Approval-Procedures-Fees_Consolidated-2.pdf","title":"Development Approval Procedures and Fees Bylaw 1418 (PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bylaw1015-ConsolidatedTrafficandHwyRegs.pdf","title":"Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw 1015 (PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/bylaw-698-Parks-Administration.pdf","title":"Parks Administration Bylaw 698 (PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/construction-permits/apply-for-a-building-permit/","title":"Apply for a Building Permit (Development Services contact), City of Castlegar","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 4 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set; 2 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/tree-removal.json"}}