Chilliwack tree removal rules and permits

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

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

Short answer

In Chilliwack, the City's documents show no general permit to cut a tree on private land. Its tree bylaw applies mainly when a development application is submitted, outside the ALR. Street trees are City-owned and cannot be cut by you. Check with the City before removing a tree.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	The City's documents show no general permit to cut a tree on private property. Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 3585 applies only to parcels outside the ALR where a development application (subdivision, building permit, rezoning or development permit) has been submitted, and it does not apply to single family dwelling building permits; it requires a tree management plan, tree density and security. The City's Property Maintenance page says the City does not otherwise regulate the trimming of trees on private property (it does not address removal). In the RS-GRA and RS-GSA HCA zones, no cutting of trees is permitted except under a development permit issued by Council.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 (consolidated May 2, 2023), Preamble; s. 3; Property Maintenance, Trees; Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000, s. 12.03(10)(d); s. 12.05(10)(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 Official wording to provide for the protection and preservation of trees on real property not included in the Agricultural Land Reserve This Bylaw applies to every parcel not included in the Agricultural Land Reserve where a community plan has been adopted by Bylaw, and in respect of which a development application has been submitted. which relates to a single family dwelling unit within a lot and any associated buildings or structures. The City of Chilliwack does not otherwise regulate the trimming of trees on private property. No cutting of trees shall be permitted except in accordance with a development permit issued by COUNCIL.
Exemptions	Bylaw 3585 does not apply to: agricultural zones within the ALR; portions of parcels designated as riparian lands, conservation areas or non-disturbance areas; trees cut or removed under the Hydro Power and Authority Act; land held by the City; development permit applications under $100,000 construction value; boundary-adjustment subdivisions; and building permits for tenant improvements only or for a single family dwelling unit on a lot and its associated buildings or structures. Hazardous trees are not exempt: on developments the owner must have a Hazardous Tree Assessment done by a Certified Arborist and hazardous trees removed or modified at the owner's cost. An owner may prune a tree but may not top it.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 (consolidated May 2, 2023), s. 4; s. 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 Official wording agricultural zones located within the Agricultural Land Reserve; portions of parcels designated as riparian lands, conservation areas or areas designated by bylaw as non-disturbance areas; trees cut or removed under the Hydro Power and Authority Act; or development permit applications with a construction value of less than which relates to a single family dwelling unit within a lot and any associated buildings or structures. an Owner may prune a tree as required, but may not top a tree. Prior to any and all development, the Owner must ensure that a Hazardous Tree Assessment is completed at the Owner’s sole cost
Fee	None set. The City's tree management bylaw sets no permit fee.
Replacement trees	Only for development under Bylaw 3585 (not single family building permits): the owner must have at least 50 trees per hectare (25 per hectare in industrial zones) of newly planted and retained trees, plant street trees along road frontages, and post security calculated on the Tree Summary Security Form (Schedule A: trees valued at $300 each, with the form stating 'Security is based on 125% of total X 25%'). Half the security is released once trees are planted, the rest after a 2-year warranty period. Some plan requirements do not apply to developments of 3 or fewer lots or units.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 (consolidated May 2, 2023), s. 8, 9, 18, 19; Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 Official wording must ensure that each of its development sites has a tree density of at least 50 trees per hectare, comprising newly planted trees and retained trees, Newly planted trees @ $300.00 Security is based on 125% of total After a 2-year Tree Warranty Period, the remaining security will be released to the Owner
City trees	Pruning or cutting street trees yourself, or hiring someone to do it, is not permitted; report concerns about a tree on public property to City arborists. It is an offence to willfully injure or damage a tree on a boulevard (Community Standards Bylaw s. 15) or to damage, alter or remove a tree adjacent to a highway (Highway and Traffic Bylaw s. 27); planting a tree in a highway needs the Engineer's approval. On City parks and other City land, Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw 3290 says no person shall cut, remove, alter, destroy or damage any tree.Urban Forests, Street Tree Program; Community Standards Bylaw, s. 15; Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686, s. 27; s. 21(11); Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw 3290, Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw 3290, s. 12 (text numbering) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 Official wording pruning or cutting street trees on your own, or hiring someone to do it for you, is not permitted. No person shall deface any Boulevard, or willfully injure or damage any Boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on any Boulevard; damage, modify, alter or remove any Boulevard, tree, shrub, plant, bush, hedge, fence or Highway lighting adjacent to any Highway. plant a tree or hedge in a Highway, except as approved by the Engineer; No person shall cut, remove, alter, destroy or damage any tree, shrub, plant, hay, natural
Fine	Bylaw 3585 has no ticket amount. A violation is an offence on summary conviction with a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, and each day of a continuing offence is a separate offence. For City boulevard trees, the bylaw notice schedule sets $200 ($190 if received within 14 days, $210 if over 28 days) for Community Standards s. 15, and $100 ($90 early, $110 late) for Highway and Traffic s. 27.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 (consolidated May 2, 2023), s. 30; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018, No. 4573, Schedule A, Community Standards Bylaw 5041; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018, No. 4573, Schedule A, Highway and Traffic Bylaw 4686; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018, No. 4573, s. 6(2), (3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 Official wording is liable to a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) and not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and Deface Boulevard or Vegetation 15 200.00 190.00 210.00 Deface Highway 27 100.00 90.00 110.00 If received by the City within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to If more than 28 days after the person received or is presumed to have received the
Bylaw	Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 (consolidated May 2, 2023), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 Official wording Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585

How it works

The City of Chilliwack's Property Maintenance page says owners must keep trees on private property from encroaching onto a road or sidewalk, and that the City does not otherwise regulate the trimming of trees on private property. It does not address removal, and the City's documents show no general permit to cut a tree on private land.

The Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 applies only to land outside the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), and only once a development application (subdivision, building permit, rezoning or development permit) has been submitted. It does not apply to single family dwelling building permits. Where it applies, it requires a tree management plan, a tree density and security. The bylaw sets no permit fee.

Steps

Confirm the tree is on your lot and not in the City boulevard (see property-lines).
If your lot is under a subdivision or development application, call Planning (604-793-2906) first.
In the RS-GRA and RS-GSA HCA zones of the Zoning Bylaw, no tree cutting is allowed except under a development permit issued by Council.
Otherwise, check with Bylaw Enforcement (604-793-2908) or Planning before removing a tree. On a development under Bylaw 3585, trees may be pruned but not topped.

Good to know

Pruning or cutting street trees yourself, or hiring someone to, is not permitted. Report concerns about trees on public property to City arborists.
It is an offence to willfully injure or damage a tree on a boulevard, or to damage, alter or remove a tree next to a highway. The ticket is $200 for a boulevard tree and $100 for a highway tree. Cutting or removing any tree on City parks and other City land is not allowed.
Breaking Bylaw 3585 is an offence with a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.
On developments, hazardous trees are not exempt. The owner must get a Hazardous Tree Assessment from a Certified Arborist and pay to remove or modify them.
Disputes about a neighbour's tree or overhanging branches are between neighbours; the City is not involved.
Under the Community Standards Bylaw, you must keep trees and landscaping from blocking sidewalks, roads, or traffic signs.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Harrison Hot Springs · Kent · Abbotsford · Mission · Hope · Township of Langley

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Property Maintenance, City of Chilliwack (read 2026-11-05)
Urban Forests, City of Chilliwack (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 2008, No. 3585 (consolidated May 2, 2023) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Community Standards Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw 3290 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018, No. 4573 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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.