Castlegar tree removal rules and permits

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

Castlegar, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	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.Community Plan Bylaw 1427, s. 7.1; Community Plan Bylaw 1427, s. 7.4.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Removal of vegetation within the unless reviewed and supported
Exemptions	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.Community Plan Bylaw 1427, s. 7.1, general exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Removal of danger trees under direction Removal of invasive species; Removal or replacement of flammable
Fee	Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Replacement trees	Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
City trees	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)).Parks Administration Bylaw 698, s. 6(a); Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B-9, s. 29.2; Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw 1015, s. 29.1, 29.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Destroy or damage any tree, shrub, plant, turf or flower; Damage City sign/fence/tree/grass/shrubs $100 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
Fine	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).Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B-18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Failure to obtain a
Bylaw	None set. The City has no general tree-cutting permit or tree protection bylaw.

How it works

The City of Castlegar has no general tree-cutting permit or tree protection bylaw. However, the Community Plan (Bylaw 1427) 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.

These 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.

Steps

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.
If it is, apply for a development permit before cutting. The fee is $1,000, or $500 for a delegated development permit (Bylaw 1418).
If the tree is on the boulevard, a highway or a park, do not touch it; contact the City first.

Good to know

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.
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.
In a park, no one may destroy or damage any tree (Parks Administration Bylaw 698, s. 6(a)).
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).
No replacement planting rule for tree removal was found.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Fruitvale · Trail · Rossland · Montrose · Nelson · Slocan

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Community Plan Bylaw 1427 (PDF), City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)
Development Approval Procedures and Fees Bylaw 1418 (PDF), City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)
Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw 1015 (PDF), City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)
Parks Administration Bylaw 698 (PDF), City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)
Apply for a Building Permit (Development Services contact), City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)

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. How answers are checked.